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On the show
Recent episodes
The Truth About Modern Dating, Marriage & Attraction with Relationship Coach Stephan Labossiere
Apr 30, 2026
1h 20m 26s
Dr. Eboni Cornish on Neuroinflammation, Gut Health & Why You're Still Not Getting Better
Apr 23, 2026
50m 40s
Bob Saget's Widow Kelly Rizzo on Grief, Resilience & Loving Again
Apr 16, 2026
35m 51s
Randy Spelling: From Hollywood Royalty to Recovery & Helping Others Heal
Apr 9, 2026
48m 11s
How Creative Writing Heals: Allie Michelle on Journaling, Archetypes & Emotional Strength
Apr 2, 2026
39m 51s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/30/26 | The Truth About Modern Dating, Marriage & Attraction with Relationship Coach Stephan Labossiere | Bestselling author and sought-after relationship coach Stephan Labossiere, also known as Stephan Speaks, joins Karena Dawn for an honest, spiritually grounded conversation on love, dating, and marriage. From decoding red flags to understanding why physical attraction matters more than most people admit, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating modern relationships: single, dating, or partnered. How do you stop searching for love and start becoming it? Healing your past isn't just self-care. It's the foundation for every meaningful relationship you'll ever have. (01:37) What Real Love Actually Is Stephan defines love as spirit-to-spirit connection, not performance, chemistry, or circumstance Why you can't force two people to love each other simply by putting them together How Stephan went from IT professional and real estate investor to relationship coach through an unexpected spiritual journey What it really means to be "prepared" for love: healing past wounds, not just showing up (19:48) Dating, Marriage & the Attraction Nobody Talks About Red flags to watch: men who won't discuss feelings, men who say they're not serious, and the women who don't believe them The #1 issue Stephan sees in marriages: loss of physical attraction, and why no one wants to admit it Why attraction isn't just about looks. It's about effort, respect, and energy How low self-worth in one partner quietly dismantles intimacy for both (44:42) Being Love: The Foundation Everything Else Rests On Why the goal isn't to find love. It's to become it The emotional vs. physical disconnect that quietly breaks most marriages and how to bridge it Healing as the prerequisite: how unresolved pain sabotages every new relationship Practical ways to walk in love daily: rejecting negativity, caring for your health, starting with the people around you Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Visit his website: StephanSpeaks.com Follow him on Instagram Shop his Books If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection Subscribe on YouTube Donate to The Big Silence Foundation The Big Silence Resource Guide Find exclusive offers from our supporters Show Resources: VISIT THE CHALLENGE PAGE THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST TONE IT DOWN PODCAST Tone It Up App Tone It Up YouTube Tone It Up Instagram Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 1h 20m 26s | ||||||
| 4/23/26 | Dr. Eboni Cornish on Neuroinflammation, Gut Health & Why You're Still Not Getting Better | Dr. Eboni Cornish is the Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics and president-elect of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), with 16+ years specializing in neuroinflammation, Lyme disease, mold illness, PANS/PANDAS, and long COVID. In this episode, she joins Karena to break down the overlooked root causes driving brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep, and chronic illness — making the case that most people suffering from mood and cognitive symptoms have an underlying physical cause that's going completely undetected. What if the anxiety, brain fog, and exhaustion you've been managing as mental health symptoms are actually your body flagging something physical — something that's never been investigated? When mental health is treated as brain health, the entire conversation changes. Dr. Eboni Cornish shows us what's possible when we stop medicating symptoms and start asking why. (02:15) Brain Health Is the Missing Piece of Longevity You can sauna, plunge, and lift — but if you're not sleeping, your brain can't heal Non-restorative sleep is the number one red flag your brain is under stress Hormones, cortisol, and fight-or-flight mode all disrupt sleep Supplements Dr. Cornish recommends: L-theanine, GABA, and magnesium (18:31) Mold, Environmental Toxins & Your Mood Mold toxins cause inflammation that mimics depression, anxiety, and even dementia Some patients' mood symptoms resolved entirely after leaving a water-damaged building HLA gene testing can reveal whether your body can clear mold toxins or retains them Brain fog is a symptom, not a diagnosis (33:49) Lyme Disease, Tick Bites & PANS/PANDAS in Kids and Adults Less than 50% of people with Lyme ever notice a tick bite or bullseye rash Lyme is a global disease, a "great imitator" that can present as depression, fatigue, or psychosis In kids, sudden personality changes after illness can signal PANS/PANDAS, an autoimmune neuropsychiatric response Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Visit Dr. Eboni Cornish's website (https://www.drebonicornish.com/) Follow her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dr.ebonicornish/) Learn about Amen Clinics (https://www.amenclinics.com) Find an ILADS-trained physician (https://www.ilads.org) If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/audiobook) Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection (https://thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all) Subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL3RrbvDLuTTGFN4VYzEpw) Donate to The Big Silence Foundation (https://thebigsilence.com/donate) The Big Silence Resource Guide (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/resources) Find exclusive offers from our supporters (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partners) Show Resources: VISIT THE CHALLENGE PAGE (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/new-year-new-tiyou-challenge) THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-silence/id1607181597) TONE IT DOWN PODCAST (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-down-podcast) Tone It Up App (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-up-app) Tone It Up YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@toneitup/featured) Tone It Up Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toneitup/?hl=en) Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 50m 40s | ||||||
| 4/16/26 | Bob Saget's Widow Kelly Rizzo on Grief, Resilience & Loving Again | Kelly Rizzo is a food and travel creator, host of the Comfort Food podcast, and founder of the Comfort Club grief community. In this episode, she opens up about losing her husband Bob Saget, rebuilding her identity, and what surprised her most about grief. She and Karena also explore career reinvention at any age, learning to love without fear, and why sharing your story is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and others. What if the hardest chapter of your life turned out to be a helpful pathway for others? Kelly Rizzo didn't plan to become a voice for grief and resilience. But when she started sharing her healing journey after losing Bob Saget, the responses she received solidified her mission. (00:00) Resilience, Grief & Why It's Still Taboo Kelly and Karena connect over resilience as a shared foundation Why grief is still taboo — and why that needs to change (05:14) Reinvention at Any Age How a market crash, a divorce, and a dead end led Kelly to start over in her mid-30s From family real estate to food and travel vlogging before "influencer" was even a word (09:32) Bob Saget, Grief & What Losing Him Taught Her How Bob slid into her DMs and why she almost didn't give him a chance What grief actually feels like from the inside The detail that shocked her most (23:47) Love After Loss & Never Sweating the Small Stuff What it was like to open her heart again and why it scared her How her boyfriend Brecken embraced Bob as part of their life together Why grief completely changed the way she shows up in her relationship — and what that means for anyone starting over Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Instagram (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.instagram.com/kellyrizzo__;!!IjqdgNtW8d72VyZ5!JI-8y7XdQUobtOLvEqXeU4Ej3DLUTh76jENW-BWGww4R1EXJ32b5gq2RB8jIuAvFG1NF3COb3uxRdHmcnMhNdokUf01XtTXL$) TikTok (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.tiktok.com/@eattravelrock__;!!IjqdgNtW8d72VyZ5!JI-8y7XdQUobtOLvEqXeU4Ej3DLUTh76jENW-BWGww4R1EXJ32b5gq2RB8jIuAvFG1NF3COb3uxRdHmcnMhNdokUfwzrBQAB$) Eat Travel Rock (https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.eattravelrock.com/__;!!IjqdgNtW8d72VyZ5!JI-8y7XdQUobtOLvEqXeU4Ej3DLUTh76jENW-BWGww4R1EXJ32b5gq2RB8jIuAvFG1NF3COb3uxRdHmcnMhNdokUf-AZ7ZxM$) Comfort Food with Kelly Rizzo Podcast (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comfort-food-with-kelly-rizzo/id1716987177__;!!IjqdgNtW8d72VyZ5!JI-8y7XdQUobtOLvEqXeU4Ej3DLUTh76jENW-BWGww4R1EXJ32b5gq2RB8jIuAvFG1NF3COb3uxRdHmcnMhNdokUf1iR5719$) Comfort Club (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.comfortclubonline.com/__;!!IjqdgNtW8d72VyZ5!JI-8y7XdQUobtOLvEqXeU4Ej3DLUTh76jENW-BWGww4R1EXJ32b5gq2RB8jIuAvFG1NF3COb3uxRdHmcnMhNdokUf-LCFn0q$) If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/audiobook) Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection (https://thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all) Subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL3RrbvDLuTTGFN4VYzEpw) Donate to The Big Silence Foundation (https://thebigsilence.com/donate) The Big Silence Resource Guide (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/resources) Find exclusive offers from our supporters (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partners) Show Resources: VISIT THE CHALLENGE PAGE (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/new-year-new-tiyou-challenge) THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-silence/id1607181597) TONE IT DOWN PODCAST (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-down-podcast) Tone It Up App (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-up-app) Tone It Up YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@toneitup/featured) Tone It Up Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toneitup/?hl=en) Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 35m 51s | ||||||
| 4/9/26 | Randy Spelling: From Hollywood Royalty to Recovery & Helping Others Heal | In this conversation with Randy Spelling — life coach of 18 years, son of legendary TV producer Aaron Spelling, and co-host of the Oldish podcast — Karena explores how growing up with fame and fortune still left him empty. He shares how addiction nearly took his life and how he rebuilt himself through somatic therapy, EMDR, inner child work, and learning to trust his own intuition. You’ll gain practical tools for breaking negative self-talk, working with rumination, and taking the first steps toward real healing. What does real healing look like when you've already tried everything — and still hit rock bottom? Randy Spelling grew up inside one of Hollywood's most famous families, with every privilege imaginable — and still ended up at lost, searching for anything to dull the pain. In this deeply honest conversation, Randy walks Karena through the night that changed everything, the addiction that almost killed him, and the 18-year coaching practice he built on the other side of it. From inner child work to EMDR to rewiring negative self-talk, this episode is a masterclass in what it takes not just to survive, but to actually heal. (00:58) Presence Over Metrics: How Randy Coaches Today Most goals are placeholders for what people actually want to feel The vacation analogy: you can be on the beach at sunset and still be completely disconnected inside (07:14) Growing Up in Aaron Spelling's Shadow Despite enormous privilege, Randy never felt good enough or fulfilled Being highly empathic meant constantly reading the room to earn love and attention (13:22) Rehab, Relapse & the Decision That Actually Stuck His first rehab was someone else's choice- the second time, he chose it The time his heart stopped (22:27) EMDR, Somatic Therapy & the Healing That Goes Deeper Than Talk After years of traditional therapy, Randy felt he was going in circles — he needed something that moved what was stuck in his body He explored somatic therapy, Reiki, EMDR, and working with spiritual teachers (31:50) Inner Child Work, Negative Self-Talk & the Rumination Method Inner child visualization — seeing yourself at a specific age, making eye contact, and saying what that child always needed to hear For negative self-talk: write it down to get it outside your head, then alchemize it The rumination method: personify it, let it speak, take its notes, then consciously let it out of the car Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Visit Randy's website (https://www.randyspelling.com) Follow Randy on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/randyspelling) Discounted offer to Randy's 'You 2.0' 14 Day program: YOU 2.0 (https://go.randyspelling.com/you-2-0) If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/audiobook) Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection (https://thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all) Subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL3RrbvDLuTTGFN4VYzEpw) Donate to The Big Silence Foundation (https://thebigsilence.com/donate) The Big Silence Resource Guide (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/resources) Find exclusive offers from our supporters (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partners) Show Resources: VISIT THE CHALLENGE PAGE (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/new-year-new-tiyou-challenge) THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-silence/id1607181597) TONE IT DOWN PODCAST (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-down-podcast) Tone It Up App (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-up-app) Tone It Up YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@toneitup/featured) Tone It Up Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toneitup/?hl=en) Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 48m 11s | ||||||
| 4/2/26 | How Creative Writing Heals: Allie Michelle on Journaling, Archetypes & Emotional Strength | In this conversation with Allie Michelle, poet, spoken word performer, and author of four poetry collections, she and Karena cover the healing power of journaling and radical honesty on the page. They discuss how EMDR therapy rewired her nervous system in just eight sessions, the difference between the Lover and Seeker archetypes, and why fluid identity beats fixed personality systems. Youo’ll hear why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to expand empathy, and where she personally draws the line on AI in the creative process. Can writing become a form of therapy? Allie makes the case that it can. Whether you've never touched a journal or you've been writing for years, this conversation will change the way you think about creativity, honesty, and what it means to truly feel your feelings. Highlights: (00:52) From Library Kid to Poet: Finding Words That Held Her Allie ditched school to hide in the poetry section and found writing before she found herself Growing up shy, she used poetry to process emotions she couldn't speak out loud Working the Teen Line crisis hotline at 14 gave her emotional tools way beyond her years How slowing down in Hawaii finally made space for her voice (05:31) Journaling as a Lifeline: How to Get Radically Honest on the Page Why her journals are her favorite writing: stripped down, unperformed, completely true "We don't have as much negative space to process our feelings like we once did. Journaling is that space of just, how am I really feeling today?" For beginners: the prompted journal Becoming a Warrior as a diving board and the rule of big pen energy (11:52) AI, Authenticity & Where Allie Draws the Line "Integrity is not a line in the sand. It's a state of awareness." — the framework she uses to navigate AI ethics How fiction bridges empathy gaps and why that matters more than ever right now The difference between feedback from people you trust and the noise of the internet (22:41) Healing the Self: EMDR, Somatic Work & Coming Back Into Your Body Spending the first half of her life dissociated and what finally brought her back EMDR as a game-changer: eight sessions that completely altered her nervous system From craniosacral therapy to holotropic breathing- how she built a full toolkit for self-regulation "It's not about being perfect. It's just learning to be this really wonderful container for myself." (24:52) Archetypes, Identity & The Many Versions of You Why she loves archetypes and how they allow for fluidity, not fixed identity The Lover: tasting life fully, Eros, the sweetness of doing nothing, and its shadow of codependency The Seeker: obsessed with growth, the itch to stretch your spirit "Part of loving ourselves and also loving people really well is listening for which one is alive and present." Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Follow Allie Michelle on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alliemichellel) New Poetry Collection: Don't Wait to Light the Candles (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/dont-wait-to-light-the-candles-allie-michelle?variant=44262764806178) Fantasy Novel: Legends of Lemuria (https://shopcatalog.com/products/legends-of-lemuria) Resources Mentioned: Gabby Bernstein describes EMDR therapy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYI_0VDMVGk) If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/audiobook) Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection (https://thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all) Subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL3RrbvDLuTTGFN4VYzEpw) Donate to The Big Silence Foundation (https://thebigsilence.com/donate) The Big Silence Resource Guide (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/resources) Find exclusive offers from our supporters (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partners) | 39m 51s | ||||||
| 3/26/26 | ADHD, Dopamine & Brain Fog: What Your Brain Is Trying to Tell You | Dr. Steven Storage | Dr. Steven Storage is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist at Amen Clinics, where brain SPECT imaging is used to diagnose and treat conditions like ADHD at the neurological level. In this episode, he and Karena cover the four pillars of brain health, how social media hijacks your dopamine, why ADHD is both genetic and environmental, the seven subtypes of ADHD, what low dopamine actually feels like, and a simple cognitive technique to stop negative thoughts from running your day. What happens to your focus, your mood, and your sense of self when your brain isn't getting what it needs — and how do you even know? Dr. Storage breaks down the neuroscience in a way that's impossible to unhear, from why one bad night of sleep costs you 30% of your executive function to how your social media habit may be draining the same brain chemical you need to feel motivated. This is the brain health conversation that has been missing from the wellness space. (00:38) The Four Pillars of Brain Health Sleep, exercise, nutrition, and avoiding toxins — the foundation for a functioning brain 20 minutes of higher-intensity cardio every other day shown to be as powerful as antidepressant medication for the brain What the brain is actually doing while you sleep Food is fuel or garbage — why refined sugar and processed foods are inflammatory for the brain (07:07) Social Media, Dopamine & the Addiction Loop Social media is engineered to produce a dopamine spike, and the crash after is real Doom scrolling depletes the same chemical needed for focus, motivation, and productivity Why students who decompress with video games before homework are setting themselves up to struggle (11:59) ADHD Explained — Genetics, Perimenopause & What's Really Happening ADHD is one of the most genetic conditions in psychiatry ADHD as a supply-demand issue: blood flow to the prefrontal cortex vs. the demands placed on it Why perimenopause triggers ADHD-like symptoms The difference between brain fog from perimenopause and preexisting ADHD — and why one makes the other worse (21:04) ADHD as a Superpower — And Why Medication Isn't the Enemy Why traits coded as ADHD likely survived evolution Creativity, hyper-focus, intuition, outside-the-box thinking — the real strengths of an ADHD brain The mismatch between ADHD wiring and traditional classrooms: why Dr. Storage doesn't view ADHD as a disorder Stimulants vs. non-stimulants — what Adderall actually does to the prefrontal cortex The goal isn't to eliminate the superpower — it's to modulate the brain so you can access focus when you need it without losing creativity (32:35) Brain Development, Early Diagnosis & Rewiring Negative Thoughts The prefrontal cortex isn't fully developed until mid-to-late 20s — so how do you know when to treat? New MRI data: kids treated for ADHD before age 12 showed accelerated prefrontal cortex development Dr. Storage's three-step method for negative thought patterns Why meditation builds metacognitive awareness and helps thoughts pass like luggage on a conveyor belt Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Follow Dr. Steven Storage on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drstevenstorage/) Follow Dr. Steven Storage on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dr-steven-storage) Visit Amen Clinics (https://www.amenclinics.com) If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/audiobook) Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection (https://thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all) Subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL3RrbvDLuTTGFN4VYzEpw) Donate to The Big Silence Foundation (https://thebigsilence.com/donate) The Big Silence Resource Guide (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/resources) Find exclusive offers from our supporters (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partners) | 42m 15s | ||||||
| 3/19/26 | Author & Executive Coach Amina AlTai on Burnout, Core Wounds & Escaping the Ambition Trap | Executive coach and bestselling author Amina AlTai joins Karena to unpack the hidden psychology behind burnout, overachievement, and what she calls the "ambition trap" — the exhausting space between feeling too much and never enough. After her own health crisis brought on by relentless overworking and undiagnosed autoimmune disease, Amina went back to study coaching, nutrition, and mindfulness, and built a practice helping high-achieving women reconnect with purposeful ambition. In this episode, they explore the five core childhood wounds that quietly shape our careers, how invisible labor fuels resentment, and the concrete steps to set boundaries, stop tolerating what's costing you, and find work that's truly yours. How do you stop building your ambition on a foundation of childhood wounds and start living from a place of purpose? Recognizing the core wounds quietly driving your hustle is the first step toward breaking free from the ambition trap and reclaiming a life that's actually yours. (00:16) The Burnout That Nearly Broke Her Amina's origin story: marketing career, immigrant family pressure, and the relentless pursuit of achievement How two autoimmune diseases became the catalyst for an entirely different life Why burnout isn't just exhaustion; it's what happens when achievement becomes identity (03:01) The Five Core Wounds Driving Your Ambition Amina's framework: abandonment, rejection, humiliation, betrayal, and injustice, and the masks we wear for each Why the control mask often leads directly to burnout Awareness is the first and most powerful step to breaking the pattern (10:44) How Core Wounds Show Up at Work The withdrawal mask: avoiding opportunity out of fear of rejection Masochism and martyrdom as the blueprint for burning out Perfectionism (the rigidity mask) and why waiting for 110% keeps you stuck The real cost of micromanagement and what it signals about the betrayal wound (16:07) Boundaries, Burnout & Invisible Labor The SBIS model (Situation, Behavior, Impact, Solution) for navigating hard workplace conversations Invisible labor = the unpaid, unseen work women carry at home and at the office How tolerations silently drain your energy and how to start raising the standard (31:13) Reinvention, Purpose & the Passion Myth Why the idea of one singular career no longer fits how long or how fully we live The crucial difference between passion and purpose Amina's five elements of purposeful work Joy sparkers vs. fire starters: a practical tool for building more of what lights you up into daily life Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources Get the book: The Ambition Trap — How to Stop Chasing and Start Living Visit Amina's website Follow Amina on Instagram If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection Subscribe on YouTube Donate to The Big Silence Foundation The Big Silence Resource Guide Find exclusive offers from our supporters Show Resources: VISIT THE CHALLENGE PAGE THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST TONE IT DOWN PODCAST Tone It Up App Tone It Up YouTube Tone It Up Instagram Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 42m 11s | ||||||
| 3/12/26 | How Fitness Saved His Life & Why Community Is the Most Underrated Health Tool | In this conversation with Kenny Santucci — personal trainer, entrepreneur, and founder of Strong New York — Karena explores how growing up broke in New Jersey shaped his relentless work ethic, why he lost millions and kept going, and how fitness became his anchor through canceled deals, failed businesses, and a suicidal crisis. Kenny also shares his philosophy on building real community through fitness, what the industry gets wrong, and why he believes a healthier city starts one workout at a time. How do you rebuild your life when every external win has been stripped away — and still choose to get up? Resilience isn't a personality trait. It's a decision you make in the dark, over and over again. (00:46) Jersey Roots, Zero Hand-Outs Growing up broke in Newark and learning early that work was the only way out Why Kenny's never taken investor money How coming from nothing shapes your hunger as an entrepreneur (03:15) The Fat Kid Who Became a Trainer Kenny's upbringing and the gym that changed everything How getting in shape shifted the way the world treated him — and what he actually thinks about that "If you want people to add to your cup, you need to give them some sort of value." (13:57) From the Docks to the Gym Floor From the Port Newark shipping yard to New York City What television taught him and why he walked away Why everyday clients, not celebrities, are the ones who make lasting changes (17:50) Getting Canceled and Going Broke Losing two gyms to bad partners Being canceled and the dark spiral that followed How he climbed out by chalking up wins, leaning on family, and just going for a run (32:57) What the Fitness Industry Gets Wrong Selling aesthetics over community is the industry's biggest disservice The "gateway drug" approach: try yoga, boxing, Pilates — and don't marry any of it Why you push 30–40% harder alongside other people (53:29) Strong New York, Plant Medicine & the Supplement Stack The mission behind Strong New York's September 26th event Kenny's take on psilocybin, microdosing, and the mental health case for plant medicine His actual supplement priority list: creatine, protein, nootropics Why a brain isn't a brain without other brains around — and what AI therapy is getting wrong Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest Resources: Follow Kenny on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kennysantucci) Follow Strong New York on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/strongnewyork) Strong New York on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@StrongNewYork) If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources: Connect with The Big Silence Community: Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/audiobook) Shop The Big Silence Self Love Collection (https://thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all) Subscribe on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaL3RrbvDLuTTGFN4VYzEpw) Donate to The Big Silence Foundation (https://thebigsilence.com/donate) The Big Silence Resource Guide (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/resources) Find exclusive offers from our supporters (https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partners) Show Resources: VISIT THE CHALLENGE PAGE (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/new-year-new-tiyou-challenge) THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-silence/id1607181597) TONE IT DOWN PODCAST (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-down-podcast) Tone It Up App (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-up-app) Tone It Up YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@toneitup/featured) Tone It Up Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toneitup/?hl=en) Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 1h 02m 34s | ||||||
| 3/5/26 | How to Stop Repeating Your Parents' Patterns | Dr. Shefali Tsabary on Conscious Parenting | In this conversation with Dr. Shefali Tsabary, clinical psychologist and author of The Conscious Parent, Karena explores how unhealed childhood wounds get passed down through generations, why traditional discipline doesn't work, and how the three-step process of awareness, acceptance, and action can help you break toxic patterns — whether you're a parent or not.How do we stop unconsciously passing our unhealed wounds onto the people we love most?The path to conscious parenting begins not with your child — but with you.(00:23) From Psychologist to Conscious Parent: The Origin StoryWhy Dr. Shefali's work applies to anyone who has ever had a parentHer journey from clinical psychology to meditation to motherhoodHow unhealed childhood baggage gets projected onto the people we love most(06:55) Triggers, Boundaries & Breaking the CycleWhy nothing outside of you is truly the trigger, only the matchWhy real boundaries are internal actions, not instructions to other peopleThe three-step path forward: awareness, acceptance, action(11:12) Screens, Mental Health & the Disconnection Crisis“Screens are the worst thing to happen to children."Anxiety in girls has doubled; suicidality in boys is at an all-time highThe real culprit: Overstimulation and disconnection from the present momentConnection is the antidote to all emotional disease(15:10) Control, Happiness & the Wake-Up Call We're All AvoidingWhy the need to control comes from having been controlled in childhoodThe numbing epidemic: Netflix, dead-end relationshipsWhat it takes to honestly say "I don't like my life" How compliance in children (and adults) leads to eventual breakdown(23:11) Role Reversal, Self-Love & the Books That Can Change Your LifeA community question on growing up as the caretaker and what happens when you need careKarena shares her painful experience as her mother's caretaker in her final five yearsDr. Shefali's truth: "No one can love us the way we need — that's everyone's ultimate lesson."Thanks for the support from our partners, including: Guest ResourcesVisit Dr. Shefali's websiteGet a 30-day free pass to Dr. Shefali's community! Email her office and mention The Big SilenceOrder her booksFollow her on InstagramIf this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:Connect with The Big Silence CommunityOrder: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook<a href="https://thebigsilence.com/colle | 34m 51s | ||||||
| 2/26/26 | Permission To Feel: Dr. Marc Brackett on Male Emotions, Grief & the Science of Regulation | In this conversation with Dr. Marc Brackett, founder and director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Karena explores the science of emotional regulation, the RULER framework (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions), and why traditional approaches to handling feelings often fail. Dr. Brackett shares his personal story of childhood trauma, discusses the unique challenges men face with emotional expression, and provides practical strategies for dealing with grief, anxiety, and everyday emotional overwhelm.How do you actually deal with your feelings instead of suppressing them—and why is emotional intelligence the key to better mental health, relationships, and longevity?Understanding how to regulate your emotions isn't about fixing or judging them—it's about building the vocabulary and tools to recognize, understand, and work with what you're feeling.(01:23) The RULER Framework & Navigating Grief Without JudgmentHow to be present for others during loss while protecting your own well-beingBecoming an "emotion scientist vs. emotion judge" during difficult timesEmotionally intelligent time travel: recognizing temporary circumstances and taking space when needed(07:18) Why Men Are Drowning in Suppressed Emotions & The Uncle Marvin StoryGender differences in emotional expression are socialized, not biologicalHow "toughen up" culture teaches boys to deny and suppress feelingsDr. Brackett's childhood sexual abuse, bullying, and why suppression creates emotional debt(15:42) From Trauma to Yale: Building Emotional Vocabulary & Understanding AnxietyHow childhood pain sparked Dr. Brackett's career researching emotional intelligenceWhy precise emotional vocabulary mattersBuilding emotional granularity to better understand your internal state(27:35) Realistic Optimism, Toxic Positivity & Six Strategies for Dealing With FeelingsWhy "everything will be fine" is dangerousLearn to deactivate your nervous system through meditation and breathworkThe biology of regulation: sleep, nutrition, and movement directly impact your ability to manage emotions(38:46) The Dealing With Feeling Wheel: Monthly Check-Ins for Emotional HealthMonitoring self-talk, breathing practices, reflection, and social connectionAssessing sleep quality, nutrition habits, and movement patternsWhy all these elements work together for mental health and longevityThanks for the support from our partners, including:Guest Resources | 44m 55s | ||||||
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| 2/19/26 | Why Eating Disorders Kill & How to Heal: Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt Explains | In this conversation with Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders and founder of Within Health and Galen Hope treatment centers, Karena explores the life-threatening reality of eating disorders as serious mental illnesses that claim one life every 52 minutes in America. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt explains the biopsychosocial foundations of eating disorders, shares her personal journey from ballerina to eating disorder specialist, and discusses the warning signs in athletes and high achievers. She reveals the controversial truth about GLP-1 medications and eating disorder risk, and provides actionable tools for reframing your relationship with your body through self-compassion and intentional self-care practices.How do you stop fighting your body and start healing your relationship with food, weight, and self-worth?Understanding that weight stigma is trauma opens the door to compassion—and real recovery.(01:13) The Deadliest Mental Illness You've Never Heard OfEating disorders kill one person every 52 minutes in AmericaWhy they aren't classified with "serious" mental illnesses despite being more lethal than manyThe confusion between societal pressure and actual mental illness diagnosisUnderstanding the biopsychosocial foundation: biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors(04:47) From Ballerina to Eating Disorder PsychiatristGrowing up as the child of a Holocaust survivor with a mildly autistic motherHow ballet and puberty collided to create impossible body standardsThe danger of narrow frameworks about what's "acceptable" in our bodies(18:32) Athletes, Perfectionism & the "Healthy" Eating TrapWhy high-achieving athletes and fitness enthusiasts face elevated eating disorder riskThe difference between disordered eating behaviors and diagnosable eating disordersHow orthorexia disguises itself as "clean eating" or "wellness"Warning signs to watch for in competitive sports and fitness culture(32:47) What Real Treatment Looks LikeThe biopsychosocial-spiritual treatment model that addresses all aspectsHow nutritional rehabilitation and medical stabilization work togetherFamily-based treatment approaches for adolescents and young adults(47:36) The GLP-1 Controversy: Ozempic, Wegovy & Eating Disorders"It's asinine there's no eating disorder warning"How rapid weight loss medications trigger and worsen eating disorders, especially in teensThe danger | 58m 48s | ||||||
| 2/12/26 | Your Brain Is Lying to You — Bizzie Gold on Childhood Trauma, Self-Deception & Brain Patterns | In this conversation with Bizzie Gold, founder of Break Method and creator of brain pattern mapping technology, Karena explores how childhood experiences create predictable patterns that shape your relationships, career, and mental health—and how understanding your source belief pattern can help you break free from self-deception and build a healthier life.How do you rewire the brain patterns formed in childhood that still control your life today?Understanding your source belief pattern is the first step toward breaking free from self-deception and building the life you actually want.(02:05) Brain Pattern Mapping & Bypassing Your StoryHow Bizzie created a predictive algorithm with 98.3% accuracyUnderstanding childhood experiences as a "distortion filter"Helping people see their own blind spots(06:16) The Sweet Spot of Trauma That Makes Great EntrepreneursWhy childhood instability creates self-trust and self-efficacyDeveloping situational awareness to stay safe and how it translates to businessBeing able to "think five rings down" when others can't see what's comingAttracting chaotic people because you have too much empathyWhy workaholism is easier than intimate relationships for abandonment patterns(13:47) Enmeshment Patterns & The Right Side of the SpectrumThe struggle with self-trust and decision-makingWhy enmeshed patterns need to learn to disappoint peopleUnderstanding why some people can't say no(27:18) Self-Deception & Why Your Brain Lies to YouHow childhood patterns create self-deception mechanismsWhy Bizzie keeps giving chances to people with bad intentionsThe lesson: don't let empathy destroy your business from the inside(40:33) Growing Up with Psychiatric Illness & Finding Your DriveBizzie's experience with an unstable, abusive childhoodActivities and achievement as a distraction from chaos at homeWhy self-preservation instincts don't come naturally for some patterns(49:08) Self-Care for Workaholics & Pattern OppositionWhy self-care is actually mental health work for go-go-go peopleDoing things that make you feel accomplished in self-careFor avoidant patterns: the opposition is to just... | 1h 00m 25s | ||||||
| 1/25/26 | The Power of Gratitude: A Guided Meditation to Create More of What You're Thankful For | What if gratitude isn't just something you feel, but something you create more of every time you practice it?In this grounding Mental Wellness Month meditation, Karena guides you through an 8-minute practice designed to help you reconnect with gratitude for your body, your breath, and your journey. Using breathwork, visualization, and mantras, this meditation invites you to pause and give thanks for all that has carried you to this moment. Perfect for finding beauty in the everyday, shifting your perspective, or simply celebrating all that you have and all that you are.How do you cultivate gratitude as a way of living, not just a fleeting feeling?Gratitude is a practice. And every time you acknowledge it, you create more of it.(00:00) Finding Your Peaceful Place & Connecting to BeautySettling into a quiet space, either indoors or in nature Recognizing that you are surrounded by beautyPausing to give thanks for all that you are and all that has carried you here(03:30) Bringing Gratitude to Mind & Holding It in Your HeartOne thing you're grateful for todayGratitude for your body, your breath, a loved one, a lesson you've learnedUnderstanding gratitude as a practice, a perspective, a way of living(06:00) Mantras & Radiating Gratitude Outward"I am grateful for my body. I am grateful for this breath. I am grateful for my journey."Letting your gratitude radiate outward into your life and everydayCelebrating all that you have If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:Connect with The Big Silence CommunityOrder: The Big Silence Memoir audiobookShop The Big Silence Self Love CollectionSubscribe on YouTubeDonate to The Big Silence FoundationFind exclusive offers from our supporters: https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partnersShow Resources:VISIT THE CHALLENGE... | 8m 49s | ||||||
| 1/22/26 | Dr. Will Cole on The Body-Brain Connection | Your Gut is Why You’re Anxious | What If Your Gut Could Heal Your Mind? In this deeply personal episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with functional medicine pioneer and bestselling author Dr. Will Cole. From growing up with a bodybuilding dad in the '80s to building the first functional medicine telehealth clinic, Dr. Cole shares his unconventional path to becoming one of the most trusted voices in holistic health. He opens up about the gut-brain connection, why psychiatry still ignores the organ it's treating, and how he practices what he preaches. If you've ever felt dismissed by traditional medicine, struggled with anxiety, or wondered why your mental health and digestive issues seem connected, this conversation will validate everything you've suspected and give you the tools to finally heal.Can you heal your mind by healing your gut? True healing requires looking at root causes, not just symptoms. Mental and physical health aren't separate—they're the same conversation.(00:00) From Bodybuilding to Functional Medicine PioneerGrowing up in the '80s with a Gold's Gym-owning bodybuilder dadHow his childhood of "crunchy granola" health became his life's workStarting the first functional medicine telehealth clinic 16 years ago(08:00) Why Doctors Told Karena They "Don't Deal With Mental Health"The devastating disconnect between mental and physical health in conventional medicineWhy psychiatry is the only field that doesn't test the organ it's treatingThe gut-brain connection: how inflammation, microbiome imbalance, and stress show up as anxiety and depressionBreaking down the stigma and siloed approach to healthcare(15:00) The Shame-Inflammation-Trauma Loop No One's Talking AboutHow toxic shame inflames your body and destroys gut healthThe science behind stress, trauma, and autoimmunityWhy unresolved emotional pain manifests as physical symptomsDr. Cole's personal struggle with anxiety and overthinkingThe tools that work: vagus nerve stimulation, peptides, nature, and movement(25:00) When Everything Hit at OnceHis father's sudden death The "Gwyneth bone broth" controversy Navigating professional chaos while grieving(33:00) The Real Tools for Anxiety, Stress & Staying GroundedTranscutaneous vagal nerve stimulation: what it is and why Dr. Cole wears it dailyThe role of peptides in healing and stress management | 51m 52s | ||||||
| 1/18/26 | The 10-Minute Meditation Fix For Your Overthinking Brain | What if the answer to your racing thoughts isn't fighting them—but watching them float by?In this week's free meditation for Mental Wellness Month, Karena guides you through a powerful practice designed for anyone whose mind won't shut up. This session teaches you to observe your thoughts without getting swept away by them—whether it's worry, planning, or that relentless inner critic. If you've been feeling mentally overwhelmed or caught in cycles of rumination, this 10-minute practice will help you remember: you are not the noise in your head. You are the one witnessing it.How do you create peace when your mind feels like chaos?Peace doesn't come from silencing your mind. It comes from changing your relationship with it.(00:00) Setting the Intention: Mental Wellness Month & Weekly MeditationsCreating space for mindfulness, stress reduction, and mental well-beingPerfect for seasoned meditators and complete beginners alike(02:00) The Stream Visualization: Watching Your Thoughts Like Leaves on WaterFinding stillness in your body and releasing physical tensionThe powerful metaphor of sitting beside a streamLearning to notice thoughts (worry, planning, self-doubt) without catching or fixing themUnderstanding that you are the observer of your thoughts(06:00) Anchoring in Awareness: Returning to PresenceRepeating the mantra: "I am not my thoughts. I am the awareness behind them."Understanding that 80,000-100,000 thoughts per day is normalUsing breath as your anchorIf this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:Connect with The Big Silence CommunityOrder: The Big Silence Memoir audiobookShop The Big Silence Self Love CollectionSubscribe on YouTubeDonate to The Big Silence FoundationFind exclusive offers from our supporters: https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partnersShow Resources: | 9m 03s | ||||||
| 1/14/26 | The Weight of Being the “Perfect Immigrant”: Dr. Joan Sung on Letting Go of Expectations | What if breaking your family’s silence was the first step to truly finding yourself?Author and educator, Dr. Joan Sung, joins Karena in Austin for a candid conversation about identity, intergenerational trauma, and what it really takes to prioritize mental health, especially within Asian American family systems. From the model minority myth to “tiger mom” dynamics, fetishization, and going “no contact”, Joan shares the tools, boundaries, and mindset shifts that helped her reclaim her story and raise her son with compassion and strength. She also opens up about therapy, inner-child work, and why an “emo tour” became her unexpected self-care.How do you heal when culture tells you to stay silent?Stripping away expectation starts with telling the truth about your past, your pain, and your needs, so you can build a life rooted in self-trust rather than approval.(1:25) Writing the Story That Wouldn’t Let GoTreat creative expression as catharsisExpect to re-encounter trauma Save old pages; fragments from earlier life chapters can become anchors Name your “why”: sharing openly helps others feel seen (and keeps you honest).(5:01) Dismantling the Model Minority MythLearn the history so you can spot manipulationReject perfectionism as belonging; create your own definition of “enough”Call out gendered stereotypes that penalize Asian women who self-advocatePractice bias disruption at work(10:49) When Silence Hurts: Stigma, History & Mental HealthReframing care as protecting the whole family lineIf talking feels foreign, blend modalities to ease inName intergenerational trauma so symptoms stop looking like “character flaws”Education heals: how learning context validates present pain(16:04) Tiger Mom, Pressure, and PerformanceSeparate love from achievement: high standards without shame build resilience, not anxietyChoose attunement over fearReplace internalized critics with compassionate coaching languageMeasure success by nervous-system safety(21:52) Boundaries that Break Cycles: Going No Contact“No contact” isn’t punishment; it’s acknowledging your capacity and choosing safetyExpect pushback; your healing doesn’t need consensusGrief comes with relief and tending to the inner child who still hopes | 41m 07s | ||||||
| 1/11/26 | Rise Into Your Power: A Meditation to Remember Who You Really Are | What if the powerful version of you isn't something you need to become—but something you already are?In this empowering Mental Wellness Month meditation, Karena guides you through a 9-minute practice designed to help you reconnect with your inner strength and rise into your most confident self. Using breathwork, visualization, and affirmations, this meditation reminds you that you're not waiting to become someone else; you're remembering who you've always been. Perfect for moments when you need to tap into your power, trust yourself, or move through life with intention and clarity.How do you access the strength that's always been inside you?Your power isn't something you build from scratch. It's something you remember and reclaim.(00:00) Settling In & Breathing Into StrengthFinding a comfortable seated position with spine tall and shoulders backInhaling strength and power into your entire bodyExhaling doubt and anything holding you back(04:00) Visualizing Your Empowered Self & Calling It ForwardSeeing yourself standing tall, rooted, and readyVisualizing a version of you who walks with purpose and speaks with clarityYou're not becoming someone else, you're remembering who you've always been(06:30) Affirmations & Rising Into Your Power"I am powerful. I am grounded. I trust myself."Letting the feeling of empowerment fill you completelyBringing awareness back to your body and carrying this power forwardSubscribe to Karena’s NEW podcast! Tone It Down brings you real conversations about fitness, wellness, lifestyle, and more. If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:Connect with The Big Silence CommunityOrder: The Big Silence Memoir audiobookShop The Big Silence Self Love CollectionSubscribe on YouTubeDonate to The Big Silence FoundationFind exclusive offers from our supporters: | 9m 03s | ||||||
| 1/8/26 | Why You Can't Stop Self-Sabotaging: Therapist Kati Morton on Control, Patterns & How to Break Free | What if your need for control is actually what's keeping you stuck?In this revealing episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with licensed therapist, YouTuber, and bestselling author Kati Morton to dive into her most personal book yet: Why Do I Keep Doing This? From toxic independence to people-pleasing as manipulation, Kati unpacks the precarious relationship we have with control—and why trying to control what we can't is the root of so much unhappiness. She opens up about her own daddy issues, hyperindependence, and the patterns that kept her dating emotionally unavailable men. Whether you're a perfectionist, a people-pleaser, or someone who can't seem to stop repeating the same mistakes, this conversation will hit home. Hard.How do you break the toxic patterns that keep you trapped, and learn to let go of what you can't control?Understanding why we repeat destructive behaviors is the first step toward real change and healthier relationships.(00:00) Control, Perfectionism & People-PleasingThe thread that runs through everything: our relationship with controlWhy control can be both good and badPeople-pleasing as a form of manipulationWhy trying to control what's outside your "locus of control" only hurts you and others(09:24) The Blueprint: Daddy Issues, Emotional Unavailability & Running AwayGrowing up believing "I can only depend on me, I will save myself."How childhood patterns shape who you're attracted to as an adultDating emotionally unavailable men (17:48) Breaking the Pattern: Therapy, Self-Discovery & Learning to StayFiguring out what your "why" isThe importance of a therapist who challenges you, not just affirms youRewiring your nervous system and learning what safety actually feels likeSetting boundaries without being controlling or manipulativeHow to tell the difference between protecting yourself and pushing people away(26:12) Self-Care That Actually Works: Journaling, Movement & Showing Up for FriendshipsWhy journaling has been life-changing for Kati's mental healthThe power of morning pages and releasing control over a "perfect timeline"Why friendships matter more than we realize(33:35) YouTube Evolution, AI Therapy & Fighting the Loneliness EpidemicWhy personal experience changes minds more than DSM criteriaThe problem with AI therapy | 43m 18s | ||||||
| 1/4/26 | Protect Your Peace: A 9-Minute Meditation to Release What You Can't Control | What if you could choose where your energy goes and protect what matters most?In this special Mental Wellness Month meditation, Karena guides you through a powerful practice designed to help you protect your peace and release what's not yours to carry. Using breathwork, visualization, and affirmations, this meditation creates a protective boundary around your energy and reminds you that not everything deserves your attention—and not everyone is owed access. Perfect for starting your day, resetting after stress, or finding your center when life pulls you in too many directions.How do you protect your peace in a world that constantly demands your energy?Learning to choose where your energy goes is an act of self-preservation and self-love.(00:00) Settling In & Releasing the DayBreathing exercise to release tension from shoulders and jawLetting go of the day and everything pulling at your mindBringing awareness to your body and the present moment(04:30) Visualizing Your Protective Light & Setting BoundariesCreating a soft light boundary around youGrounding into the truth: not everything deserves your attentionNot everyone is owed access to your spirit(07:00) Affirmations & Carrying Peace Forward"I choose peace. I release what is not mine to carry. I protect my energy."Bringing awareness back to your body and the room around youRemembering: your peace is yours, and it's not up for negotiationThis is part of our Mental Wellness Month series. Enjoy a new free meditation every week throughout January. For more guided meditations with Karena, download the Tone It Up app.If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:Connect with The Big Silence CommunityOrder: The Big Silence Memoir audiobookShop The Big Silence Self Love CollectionSubscribe on YouTubeDonate to The Big Silence FoundationFind exclusive offers from our supporters: https://thebigsilence.com/pages/our-podcast-partnersHave a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air! Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn | 9m 12s | ||||||
| 12/31/25 | Your Brain Is Lying to You: Jon Hershfield on Escaping OCD's Grip & Getting Your Life Back | Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat if the thoughts that torment you don’t have to define you anymore?In this eye-opening episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Jon Hershfield, MFT, director of the Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt. From his own lived experience with OCD to becoming a leading voice in evidence-based treatment, Jon unpacks what OCD really is, looking beyond the stereotypes. He shares how obsessions and compulsions hijack your life, why diagnosis matters, and how exposure therapy and mindfulness can help you reclaim control. Whether you're struggling with intrusive thoughts, supporting someone with OCD, or just want to understand this widely misunderstood condition, Jon's wisdom offers clarity, hope, and a roadmap forward.How do you distinguish between quirky habits and a diagnosable condition, and what does true healing look like?Understanding the difference between personality and pathology is the first step toward compassionate, effective treatment.(00:00) From Lived Experience to Leading ExpertJon's 20-year battle with OCD Finding community in online support groups Why he decided to pursue a career helping others with OCDThe power of treating the whole person, not just compartmentalized diagnoses(08:00) What OCD Really Is: Beyond the StereotypeBreaking down the difference between being "quirky" and having a disorderObsessions: unwanted intrusive thoughts that violate your valuesCompulsions: ineffective strategies to relieve distress from obsessionsThe "psychic damage" of mental rituals: ruminating, analyzing, and seeking certaintyRecognizing when the "D" (disorder) part matters(16:00) Diagnosis, Identity & the Modern Mental Health LandscapeNavigating multiple diagnoses in a world of one-hour evaluationsThe danger of letting diagnoses become your identityHow OCD can coexist with other conditions like autism, ADHD, and personality disordersWhy specialization matters when seeking OCD treatment(25:00) ERP, Mindfulness & Doing the WorkWhy Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard for OCD treatmentHow mindfulness helps you observe thoughts without attaching to themThe importance of homework in therapyFacing your fears until your brain realizes you can survive the uncertaintyMeditation and being present with discomfort(33:00) Finding Help, Resources & What Brings JoyWhere to start if you think you might have OCDWhy working with an OCD specialist is crucial for effective treatmentJon's upcoming book: Being a Parent with OCD (2026)The privilege of helping people expand their world when OCD has made it smallReconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at ToneItUp.com/app and we will see you January 5th! Episode ResourcesWatch The Big Silence... | 47m 04s | ||||||
| 12/24/25 | Finding Good Grief: Tallulah Willis on Growing Up in Public, Redefining Loss & Trusting Yourself | Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat if grief isn't just about what you've lost, but also about honoring who you were and how far you've come?In this raw and heartfelt episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with entrepreneur, artist, and mental health advocate Tallulah Willis. The youngest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore shares what it was like navigating life in one of Hollywood's most iconic families. We talk about confronting eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and her father's dementia journey, Tallulah opens up about the many forms grief can take. She shares how she's learned to embrace "good grief," build unshakeable self-trust, and find healing through creativity and vulnerability. Whether you're processing your own loss, struggling with identity, or searching for permission to feel it all, Tallulah's wisdom will reassure you that you're exactly where you need to be.How do you learn to trust yourself when life keeps throwing you into the unknown, and honor all the versions of yourself that got you here?True strength comes from acknowledging your feelings, giving yourself the dignity of your process, and knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.(00:00) Redefining Grief & The Power of "Yes, And"The concept of "Good Grief" and making space for celebration within the painHow DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) helps navigate the "yes, and" of complex emotions(3:30) High School: ADHD, Autism & Feeling InvisibleHer recent autism diagnosis and lifelong ADHD Believing she was unintelligent Feeling "mid" and overlooked by adults who should have seen her(06:02) Growing Up in the Spotlight: Life as Bruce and Demi's DaughterWhat it was like being raised by "the last era movie stars"Fielding paparazzi from a young age How early experiences shaped her adaptability(8:39) Eating Disorders, ARFID & Using Control to CopeHow her eating disorder became a catch-all for unprocessed emotionsLiving with ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) her whole lifeThe journey to recovery and learning to nourish herself (20:57) Surrounding Yourself with People Who See YouGrieving relationships with people who didn't see herBeing surrounded by people whose reflection of her she lovesHer fiancé's recognition of her ability to adapt and roll with new situationsLearning what it means to be truly seen and valued(24:08) Her Father's Dementia, Love & Finding JoyNavigating Bruce Willis's FTD diagnosis and the family's decision to go publicWhy she initially avoided learning the clinical details Handling invasive questions with graceHow transparency opens doors for others to get checked and seek help(31:06) Self-Trust, Pausing & Acknowledging Your FeelingsThe power of naming what's realFocusing on her art practice: drawing, interior design, and creative expressionWhy she's leaning into discomfort and pushing herself into new spacesThe magic of curiosityReconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at... | 43m 59s | ||||||
| 12/17/25 | The Sign That Saved Her Life: Actress and Producer Sarah Gilman on Survival & Breaking Silence | Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat if the sign you needed appeared at your darkest moment—and changed everything?In this deeply moving episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with actress, producer, and mental health advocate Sarah Gilman. Best known for her starring role as Delia Delfano in Disney Channel's "I Didn't Do It," Sarah has built an impressive career in Hollywood. But behind the bright lights lies a powerful story of survival. From her first suicidal thoughts at age eight, Sarah's journey is one of raw honesty and radical hope. Now, as the founder of the DD Hirsch NextGen Advisory Council, she's dedicated her life to mental health advocacy, making sure no one feels alone. Whether you're struggling yourself, supporting someone you love, or working to understand mental health better, Sarah's courage will inspire you to keep going.How do you rebuild your sense of self after hitting rock bottom, and learn that asking for help isn't a weakness?Stripping away shame and finding community proves that healing isn't linear. It's about showing up for yourself, even when it's hard.(01:37) When the Darkness StartedSarah's first journal entries about suicide as a young childCoping mechanisms that became self-destructiveThe suicide attempt that made her realize she wanted to liveThat split-second moment of regret—and why survivors often feel the same way(05:34) The Roots of Mental Illness: Family, Genetics & EnvironmentGrowing up with threads of OCD, anxiety, and depression in Sarah's familyThe collision of genetics and lack of emotional educationShared experiences as suicide survivors(08:03) Rock Bottom, Therapy & The Fork in the RoadWhen friendships dissolved Her moment of reckoning: keep going and die, or ask tough questions and healDeep diving into psychology, sociology, philosophy, and neuroscienceLearning she's a "big feeler" who just needed healthier ways to express emotions(18:45) Finding Your People: Community, Connection & HealingHow sharing experiences becomes part of the healing processThe power of being seen in your struggleWhy normalizing mental health conversations changes everything(27:30) Breaking the Stigma: Advocacy, Education & Social MediaUsing personal stories to create change in mental health spacesHow younger generations are reshaping mental health conversationsNavigating social media as both a tool and a potential trigger(38:15) Body Image, Eating Disorders & What Really MattersSarah's experience with eating disorders and recoveryWhy she doesn't post body pictures on social media anymoreThe realization: "My body is the least interesting thing about me"(50:19) Live from Vegas: The Not Alone Summit & 98816.5 million people have used 988 since 2022How 988 works: call or text for immediate, anonymous supportDebunking myths: less than 1% of cases escalate to 911, over 90% are de-escalatedSpecialized support available for LGBTQIA+, veterans, and different languagesReconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App.... | 1h 03m 10s | ||||||
| 12/10/25 | Mike Majlak, Impaulsive Co-Host + YouTuber | No-BS Talk on Addiction, Anxiety & Mental Health | Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat if the thing you're running from is the exact thing holding you back from everything you're meant to be? In this raw and powerful episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with podcast host, author, and co-host of Impaulsive, Mike Majlak. From 10 years lost to heroin and OxyContin to 15 years clean and helping millions navigate their own mental health journeys, Mike's story is one of brutal honesty and hard-won wisdom. He opens up about recognizing anxiety as a teenager, the probation officer who saved his life, and why the path to healing isn't always a straight line. Whether you're battling anxiety, supporting someone through addiction, or just trying to show up for yourself every day, Mike's no-BS approach will remind you that you have something, and you're still here for a reason.How do you rebuild your life after losing everything to addiction, and learn that taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's survival?Going back to basics proves that healing doesn't require perfection. It's about sleep, movement, and treating yourself like you matter. Because you do.(02:39) Anxiety at Age 13Feeling like something was always "off"Constant questions: Why was I picked last? Do people not like me? Did I say something wrong?The onset of the opiate epidemic 10 years of addiction(04:56) His “Aha” MomentGetting clean from opiates The probation officer who wouldn't be finessedDetoxing from methanol, Xanax, heroin, and crack cocaine all at onceHow hurt became fuel(07:34) Managing AddictionThe new wave of recovery: showing the journey, the faults, the realityStill struggling with gambling and other addictionsLearning control tactics Being curious about mental health instead of seeing it as a detriment(12:01) Longevity, Biohacking & Why Basic Actually WorksWe're in an era obsessed with optimizationNail the basics: sleep, nutrition, movementHuberman talks about sleep constantly for a reason(12:45) Go Towards What Gives You ResistanceThat feeling is showing you where to goFirst episode of Impaulsive: Mike sweat so bad he had a panic attack and walked off setWhen your gut tells you "this isn't for me", it actually IS for you(13:37) Don't Burn Out: Your Mental Health Is Your Bottom LineThe most important thing to your EBITA, your ROI, is your own mental healthTake time for yourself to feel better, to get betterIt will make you a better business person, speaker, human—whatever you're trying to doRest isn't weakness; it's strategyReconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at ToneItUp.com/app and we will see you January 5th! Episode ResourcesWATCH: | 25m 17s | ||||||
| 12/3/25 | Coming Home: Karena Dawn Re-Acquires Tone It Up | A New Era of Fitness, Empowerment & Community | Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat happens when you fight for a year to reclaim the company you built—and finally win?In this raw, emotional solo episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn breaks her silence and shares the news her community has been waiting for: she's bought back Tone It Up. After founding the company in 2009 at age 27, taking on investors in 2018, navigating a complicated acquisition, and spending the last year in intense negotiations, Karena now owns 100% of Tone It Up—with no investors. She opens up about the highs and lows of private equity, the days she wanted to walk away, why she stayed, and what's coming next for the community. From bringing back fan-favorite trainers to launching the new "Tone It Down" podcast, this episode is both a celebration and a masterclass in resilience. If you've ever fought for something you believed in, rebuilt yourself, or wondered what it takes to start over at 44, this one's for you.How do you hold on when everything feels like it's falling apart—and what does it take to reclaim what's yours?Fighting through years of uncertainty, negotiation, and emotional exhaustion proves that resilience isn't about never wanting to quit. It's about staying when every part of you wants to walk away.(00:00) The Big AnnouncementWhy this moment is both exciting and nerve-wracking for herThe core mission behind Tone It Up: creating a safe, judgment-free community for womenWhat The Big Silence is really about: breaking stigmas around mental health and self-development(03:00) What Happened in 2018? The Investor Story & Growing PainsThe reality of working with investors: when good intentions don't lead to good relationshipsThe emotional toll of the past 7-8 years: days she wanted to walk away vs. days she knew she had to stayGrowing up with the community: from 27 to 44, supporting each other through motherhood, loss, marriage, divorce, and perimenopause(07:00) The Year-Long Fight to Get Tone It Up BackWhy Karena spent the last year behind the scenes in intense negotiationsThe intuition that kept telling her: "I just want it back, big or small."How she funded the buyback(09:30) What's Next: The Future of Tone It UpNew fitness challenge launching in the Tone It Up appThe big reunion: Chyna, Stef, and Tori are back and just filmed workouts in Austin, TexasNew content across all platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram—all socials are backBuilding a home studio to create more fitness content for the community(12:00) Introducing "Tone It Down" Podcast & How to ParticipateA new podcast launching in January with episodes featuring Tori, Stef, and ChynaSolo episodes where Karena will answer community questionsHow to participate: leave voicemails at speakpipe.com/karinadawnThe Big Silence will focus on mental health and self-development; Tone It Down will be fitness, nutrition, and womanhoodReconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at ToneItUp.com/app and we will see you January 5th! If this episode moved you, please | 19m 54s | ||||||
| 11/26/25 | Why Clean Air Matters | Jaspr’s Wes Greenwood on Mold Illness, Air Quality & Inflammation | Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat if the invisible air around you was quietly impacting your sleep, your energy, and your overall health?In this eye-opening episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Wes Greenwood, Wellness Director at Jaspr and a former firefighter-turned-air quality expert. From his decade as a first responder exposed to hazardous environments to his personal journey through mold illness and autoimmune challenges, Wes shares why clean air is just as essential as clean water and food. He breaks down the science of air quality, reveals surprising truths about what's floating in your home, and offers practical tools for better sleep, reduced inflammation, and improved mental clarity. Whether you're dealing with allergies, poor sleep, or just want to optimize your health, this conversation will change how you think about the air you breathe.How do you protect your health when the invisible toxins in your home could be affecting everything from your sleep to your cognitive function?Understanding air quality and taking control of your environment proves that wellness starts with the basics, including what you breathe.(05:00) Why Nobody's Talking About Indoor Air QualityBreaking down particulate matter: the invisible particles floating in your airWhy PM 2.5 (2.5 microns) is the most dangerous size for human healthThe link between these particles and inflammation throughout the bodyHow PM 2.5 affects cognitive decline and overall well-beingWhy people are oblivious to indoor air quality issues (10:00) Testing Air Quality: Inside vs. Outside Your HomeKarena's surprise: her outdoor air was worse than indoorWhy every house is different: size, HVAC systems, pets, and movement all matterHow pets affect air qualityHow Jaspr improves air quality (18:00) Sleep, Air Quality & The Inflammation ConnectionHow poor air quality causes runny noses, blocked airways, and disrupted sleepWhy you can't reach deep rest when your body is fighting airborne irritantsThe impact of clean air on sleep quality and recoveryWes's personal journey: mold illness and autoimmune recovery(28:00) Breathwork as Medicine: Practical Tools for Anxiety & StressSimple breathwork routines that actually workWhy controlling your breath is one of the most powerful tools you haveHow mold exposure affects the body's systems(38:00) Austin Air Quality: Cedar Allergies & Real SolutionsWhy Austin residents deal with constant allergiesThe habit of "prophylactic antihistamines" and why it's not idealHow Karena's body adapted over five years—and why she still needs supportPractical tips for anyone moving to or visiting AustinThe importance of having clean air in your bedroom(46:00) The Gratitude-Breathwork ConnectionBreathing particulate-free air as meditationHow to access gratitude even when it's hard The one-two combo: breathwork + gratitude as an anxiety antidoteKarena's ritual: cold plunge, pool time, and just being present(50:00) Prevention Over Treatment: Investing in Your Health NowWellness items can be pricey, but prevention saves money laterReal results:... | 58m 47s | ||||||
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