Well, Well...

In our latest episode our hosts Jor-El and Rachel talk about mental health issues in pop culture. From public meltdowns (think Kanye and Britney circa 2007) all the way to Yankees Ace CC Sabathia (we love you CC!) Demi Lovato and Amanda Bynes, they weigh in on how public conversations about mental health impact our collective mental health and often reinforce stigma. Please share your thoughts on mental health in pop culture with us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc and feel free to leave a rating and review on iTunes. Take care!Related reading: My love for CC Sabathia and Visibility An Open Letter to Yankess Ace CC Sabathia

How do you stay grateful when times are tough? In our latest episode hosts and licensed therapists Jor-El Caraballo and Rachel Gersten talk how to practice gratitude during tough times. Obviously, 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us and during tough times it can be hard to acknowledge the positives in our lives. Sometimes it can even feel disingenuous. Listen in as Rachel and Jor-El talk through how they themselves practice gratitude during tough times and how they encourage clients to think about things when times are challenging.  As always, thank you for joining us and please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on gratitude with us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc.  Also please spread the love and share our podcast with your friends. Don’t forget to leave a rating and review on iTunes. Until next time! Related reading: Feeling Down? Practice the GLAD Technique for a Positive Boost

Mainstream wellness tends to look a certain way; white, thin, mostly blonde women fill our feeds with tips on living healthier. But, why aren’t more people of color featured? This is exactly what Carolyn Su sought to change with Diverse We Run (@diversewerun).  Join Rachel and Jor-El as they talk with Carolyn Su (Instagram: @irunfortheglory) about diversity in wellness and why representation is so important in embracing acceptance and inviting internal self-reflection. We think that you’ll learn a lot from this episode and hopefully you’ll join us in the ongoing conversation online. Thank you for listening and please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc.  Also please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Until next time!

This week our hosts Rachel and Jor-El talk with runner, host and health advocate Jonathan Levitt. Jonathan works for a company called Inside Tracker which offers personalized health and nutrition recommendations based on blood biomarkers (that you typically won’t get from your doctor!). As Jonathan puts it “we remove the opinion” on nutrition and lifestyle and rely on science. What a concept!  This is an incredibly informative episode on the benefits of personalized healthcare and how it can be used to create a more optimal life designed specifically for you. We hope you enjoy it! You can follow Jonathan on Instagram at @jwlevitt and you can learn more about Inside Tracker at their website.  As always, Thank you for listening and please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc.  Also please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Until next time!

It’s hard to know when to step in when the people you love and care about might be going through a rough time. When is the right time to be seriously concerned about their mental health? And when is it just a slump?   In our latest episode our hosts and licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El answer these questions, and give some tangible examples on how you might respond when you want to offer your support to a loved one.  Here are some related blog posts you might find helpful: Is there a right way to help? Want to help? Don’t wait until someone is struggling. Setting boundaries with friends and loved ones. What is therapy and how can it help you? Thank you for listening and please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc.  Also please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Until next time!

In light of recent events around racism going more mainstream, Rachel and Jor-El wanted to offer some therapist-led insight to help you become a better white ally in the fight for equality. In this latest episode, Rachel and Jor-El speak from their lived experiences as people, and as therapists, and model ways that you can move forward in allyship and be a part of progressive change. In this episode you will learn some tips on how to engage with other white people (and other POC) when they may be behaving or thinking in racist ways. It’s hard, but necessary, work. We hope this helps you on your journey.

Content advisory: Please note this episode includes discussion of depression and suicide. Please be advised.In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El have a sit down with writer, social media manager, and mental health advocate Theodora Blanchfield. In this episode Theodora shares about her experiences with depression, grief and suicide. She offers up a story of resilience detailing her experiences with treatment, suicidality and the path forward in therapy and the new treatment that’s making all the difference. Tune in to hear her amazing story!If you are struggling with mental health issues, depression or thoughts of suicide here are some helpful resources to consider:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255  Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Have you ever experienced a song or movie that changed your life?  We definitely have! In our most recent episode, hosts Jor-El and Rachel talk about some of the most meaningful media they’ve experienced in their lives (+ some listener submissions!).  We hope that you enjoy this fun episode as we share some of our favorites and explore the utility of media in our lives, especially when times are tough. Would you like to be a part of our podcast? If so, please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc to submit your questions or topics you think we should cover. We greatly appreciate all your feedback.  Also, help others find us better and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Thanks for listening!

Have you been curious about how to get started in therapy, but felt unsure about how to do it? Have no fear - we’re here to answer your questions! In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El take on this listener submitted question on how to get started in therapy. They cover everything from how to search for a therapist and how to know if you’ve got the right fit for you.  Therapy is confusing and can be difficult too. We hope this episode provides some clarity and inspiration for you to get started. And if you’re in NY state and interested in working with a member of the Viva Wellness team, hit up the New Clients page. Thank you for listening and please feel free to reach out to us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc.  Also please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Until next time!

There have been some many (generally helpful) think pieces about how to adjust our lives during COVID-19.  In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El talk more about how they’ve been adjusting and how it’s so important to extend ourselves grace during these times. They also talk about the necessity of holding multiple emotions at the same time  (like feeling grateful and pissed!) during the pandemic. We hope this episode helps you better process your own thoughts and feelings about life during this virus.  Please feel free to join the conversation with us on Instagram and Twitter @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo. And if you feel compelled, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Thanks for listening!

In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El talk about the importance of information in the digital age. They tackle the dangers of getting incorrect information and how to make sure that you’re being a critical consumer, especially in the age of COVID-19. Join us and share your thoughts with us! Please send feedback to us directly @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. And please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Thanks for listening!

In our latest episode Jor-El and Rachel sit down to talk through what is likely on most people’s minds right now - coronavirus!   Rachel and Jor-El offer up some therapist-approved strategies to help cope with the pandemic as it seems likely we’ll be dealing with the fallout of this for some time. They discuss practicing acceptance & using humor and the benefit of laughter! They also share their favorite tweets and memes also too. We hope that you find the practical suggestions helpful and share with friends near and far.  We have to get through this together...but apart #socialdistancing! To keep with the latest news about how to protect yourself and others, please visit the CDC’s site on COVID-19 or the latest developments from WHO. And, as always, if you enjoy our podcast please send feedback to us directly @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. And please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can grow our podcast even further. Thanks for listening!

This week Rachel and Jor-El sit down with business woman and photographer Diana Davis. If you follow us on Instagram, you definitely would have seen Diana’s handiwork as she’s been responsible for many of the imagery you’ve seen for Viva Wellness. In this episode we talk with Diana about her journey into owning her own business and the power of following your intuition and using positive thinking. We talk about leaps of faith, having the right support and believing in one’s self. If you’re looking for inspiration you’ll find it here! If you enjoy our podcast please send feedback to us @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. And please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can grow our podcast even further. Thanks for listening!

This week we have an EXTRA special episode featuring exemplary athlete and advocate Chris Mosier. If you haven’t yet had the joy of learning about Chris, here’s a brief rundown of his incredible accomplishments: First trans man to make a men’s US national team 6 time team member of Team USA in triathlon and duathlon Has won two national championships in race walking First trans athlete to compete in the Olympic trials in the gender in which they identify   Rachel and Jor-El talk to Chris about living his personal motto “be who you needed when you were younger”, advocating for youth athletes and leaving a legacy as a trans athlete. This episode is definitely not one to be missed!   We also learn more about Chris’ background in sports and who his favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle is. This is a good one filled with heart, humor and purpose. To learn more about Chris’ advocacy work you can keep up with him on Instagram @TheChrisMosier and transathlete. If you enjoy our podcast please send feedback to

Impeachment hearings. Iowa. Toxic and abusive political rhetoric. It’s a lot, isn’t it?! In our latest episode Rachel and Jor-El are diving into politics. This week, the topic is not the policies themselves but how we all can cope and adjust to living in a 24 hour news cycle. Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk through their own reactions to politics now, and in the past few years, and offer up some tips on how to navigate what seems like the longest election period ever. And, of course, there are always some laughs to enjoy as well. Thanks for listening!

Are you struggling with SAD or just dealing with the natural variances in mood during the winter months?  Listen and find out! In our latest episode Jor-El and Rachel talk about one of the most common conditions this time of year, Seasonal Affective Disorder. This depressive condition affects about 10 million US adults. That’s a lot of people! Learn what the signs of SAD are and what steps you can take to make life better if you’re dealing with symptoms. You may also want to check out our related podcast episode Anxiety and Depression: Myths & Misconceptions. ANNOUNCEMENT! Do you want to have your question answered on the podcast? Submit your question directly to podcast@vivawellnessnyc.com and your anonymous inquiry may be featured on an upcoming episode! And please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can grow our podcast even further. Thanks for listening!

We’ve got a special treat for you this week! While a lot of people are thinking more and more about nutrition (especially during the winter months) we thought we would bring in Viva Wellness’ in-house Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Caitie Corradino!   Rachel and Jor-El sat down with Caitie to talk about all things nutrition. In this episode, Caitie clarifies what intuitive eating means and takes some time to use her medical expertise to mythbust some five common nutritional fallacies (Keto, intermittent fasting, veganism, etc.) and the psychological burden of continually striving for weight loss.  This episode is chock full of information and we think you’ll learn a lot.  You can always join the conversation and send feedback to us @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. And please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can grow out podcast even further. Thanks for listening! And, as always, thank you for listening!

In our latest episode our founders Jor-El and Rachel reflect on the past year, as many of us are doing, and offer up some suggestions on how to move forward in 2020. On that note, we have a new resource available for you on the Viva Wellness Resources page. Vision 2020: My Best Year Yet is a handy worksheet to get you to reflect on the past year and move forward with intention. We hope that you find it useful! And don't forget to tweet or DM us your questions and feedback. You can reach us at @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to leave a rating and review on iTunes! Enjoy!

This week Jor-El and Rachel are joined by Emily Merrell, the founder of Six Degrees Society.  Emily founded Six Degrees Society to create spaces for women entrepreneurs to establish contact with others and learn from one another. Emily left her job working in fashion to help create warm, accessible environments where people could connect and learn from one another with authenticity and ease. And thus, Six Degrees Society was born!Rachel and Jor-El talk with Emily about her journey into business, the challenges she faced and how she dealt with them, as well her exciting plans for 2020. Take a listen and don’t forget to send in your questions and feedback to us @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. And please leave a rating and review on iTunes so that we can grow out podcast even further. Thanks for listening! You can learn more about Emily and Six Degrees Society at the following link https://sixdegreessociety.com/.

Love it or hate it (we don’t judge!), the holiday season is here! This week, Rachel and Jor-El talk all about the holiday season, the pressures that come with this time of year and some helpful ways to manage your mental health throughout the season. In the episode, our hosts challenge the notion that there is only one right way to do the holidays. They also offer up some concrete tips on how to make it through the long days which you might be spending alone, with family, or friends.  Take a listen and feel free to share with us your favorite ways to survive the holidays! We also think you might enjoy these related blog posts!   How to Survive the Holidays As a Couple Making the Holidays Work For You   As always, don't forget to tweet or DM us your questions and feedback. You can reach us at @vivawellnessnyc, @rachelgersten and @jorelcaraballo on Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to leave a rating and review on iTunes!