Welcome to On the Bright Side - a safe place full of mental health convos, navigating your 20s tips, and doses of positivity & POVS… the unofficial girl’s guide to life if you will. This podcast is my way of sharing life experiences and perspectives with the world in hopes of making someone’s life a little brighter and a lot more fun. I started this podcast back in 2022 when I thought it was time to share my mental health story and since then it’s become so much more <3 What started as a mental health podcast transformed basically into everything that goes on behind a girl’s bedroom door - advice giving, tea talking and confidence boosting (and sometimes influencers, friends and other special guests join in on the convo). I am so glad you’re here <3
XO,
Caroline Susko
Follow @carolinesusko on Instagram and TikTok to get the latest updates on the podcast, as well as a glimpse into my life!
Welcome to On the Bright Side - a safe place full of mental health convos, navigating your 20s tips, and doses of positivity & POVS… the unofficial girl’s guide to life if you will. This podcast is my way of sharing life experiences and perspectives with the world in hopes of making someone’s life a little brighter and a lot more fun. I started this podcast back in 2022 when I thought it was time to share my mental health story and since then it’s become so much more <3 What started as a mental health podcast transformed basically into everything that goes on behind a girl’s bedroom door - advice giving, tea talking and confidence boosting (and sometimes influencers, friends and other special guests join in on the convo). I am so glad you’re here <3
XO,
Caroline Susko
Follow @carolinesusko on Instagram and TikTok to get the latest updates on the podcast, as well as a glimpse into my life!
We accept that food expires, jobs end, and relationships change so why is it so hard to accept that friendships can, too? In this episode, I talk about the not so fun reality of friendship breakups… because unfortunately, there’s no “how-to” guide. Do we wish them a happy birthday? Do we block them? Why can’t they just apologize? Because honestly sometimes I want to shake them until they do. The truth is, anyone can be a great person and also an awful friend...both can co-exist. But a bad friendship breakup can lead to a new, beautiful friendship… and that’s the beauty of life: filling the void with connections that truly fit. In this episode, I share how to cope and navigate expiring/expired friendships (because not all of them have to end ugly).
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
Have you ever wanted to be the person who is irresistible? Who can command a room with their level of confidence? Who presence simply just glows? DUH I would think we all do, but how? Well on this episode of OTBS, I learned all about aura, and I’m sharing everything with you !!! Your aura isn’t just about looking put together or happy, it’s the energy that follows when you walk into a room. Just like magnets, you’re not meant to attract everything (or everyone) who comes your way. Polarity protects your peace and peace protects your aura. So…how do we get there?How do we get this irresistible glow that turns heads? Well get listening (or watching) and this may just CHANGE YOUR LIFE…happy listening!!!
Special thanks to Jill for teaching me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcMyRnzZnCk
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
HEY Y'ALL!!!! just kidding, I’m not saying y’all...yet! In this episode, I’m diving into how our lives are made up of different numbers on the board. Someone's relationship might be a 10, but their finances might be a 3. For me, Charleston might be feeling like a 10 right now, but that doesn’t mean everything else is. Some days, what’s a 10 for someone else might only be a 7 for another. It’s about realizing that not everything has to be perfect at once, and that’s okay...or IT CAN BE!!! & we should be able to say that without feeling like we're gonna jinx it. KK LOVE YOU ALL!!!! HAPPY LISTENING <3
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
I MOVED!!!! I can’t believe I’m HERE?!
On this episode of On the Bright Side, I did the scariest thing I’ve ever done: packed up my life, drove 16 hours, and moved to Charleston, South Carolina...knowing next to no one. ( and I don’ think anyone thought I would go through with this…me included)
The craziest part? I’m doing it all while following my dreams.
Not too long ago, I was the girl whose anxiety dictated everything, throwing up from stress, panic attacks on repeat, fight-or-flight mode daily, barely able to eat when change came near. And now? I’m here. Living proof that your anxiety doesn’t have to be bigger than your dreams.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever thought, “My anxiety is too big for the life I want.” I promise…it’s not. A year ago, I believed the same thing, and I’m sharing exactly how I proved myself wrong.
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
Time may soften the hurt, but it doesn’t erase the need for an apology. In this episode, I talk about how people often use time to brush over their behavior instead of taking accountability. We’ve all had those moments when someone’s hurtful, and 20 minutes later, they’re acting completely normal, like it never happened???
I don’t know what was in Adele’s water when she wrote Water Under the Bridge, but it’s NOT that simple. Healing doesn’t come with an expiration date, and there’s no timeline for feeling what you need to feel. Time passing isn’t an apology, and we don’t need to put it in place of one. YOU'RE VALID FOR FEELING YOUR FEELINGS <3
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
Little did we know that our favorite movie would become our favorite movie, that we’d meet our best friend on a random Monday, that we were just around the corner from landing our dream job, or that I’d be moving to Charleston in just 3 weeks.
The other day, I came across a TikToker: Haley Hoffman Smith, who shared something that really stuck with me.
She said we never really know what beautiful part of life is just around the corner. And it’s true. We don’t know what dream we’re about to step into, what breakthrough is moments away,
or how the pieces are quietly falling into place.
It’s only when we look back that we start to connect the dots and realize…little did we know.
So let’s chat.
Because little did I know this would be my next life chapter.
And little did you know that this incredible milestone was right ahead of you.
A year from now, we might be listening back to this moment,
smiling at how far we’ve come,
and saying again… little did we know.
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
What really happened in the Bahamas? Is the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ support system as healthy as it seems? Did she have a stalker?…And most importantly, is she okay?
This week on On the Bright Side, former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Chandi Dayle joins me for a raw, unfiltered conversation about this season of America’s Sweethearts that shook the internet.
From being a DCC for 6 years, to her suspension from the team after the Bahamas, to surviving an abusive relationship, and managing her mental health under intense public scrutiny, Chandi opens up about everything that happened behind and beyond the cameras along with her life now.
I’m incredibly grateful to have hosted Chandi for this exclusive, and I hope it reminds everyone that negative comments on social media have real impact. It’s so important to step into other people’s shoes, especially when it comes to mental health.
Chandi is a bright light, and I’m honored she trusted me to help share more of her story.
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of abuse and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or visit thehotline.org for confidential support.
This episode of On the Bright Side is sponsored by Ollie. Dogs deserve the best, and that means fresh, healthy food. Head to Ollie.com/otbs, tell them all about your dog, and use code otbs to get 60% off your Welcome Kit when you subscribe today!
Socials
Chandi’s IG: @chandidayle
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
As I blew out the candles on 23, all I could think about was the whirlwind of lessons 22 brought me. From letting go of people I once thought were permanent, to learning how to live with my anxiety instead of running from it - this year cracked me open in ways I never saw coming. In this episode, I’m sharing 22 things 22 taught me, because somewhere along the way, I finally met myself ( and I learned my there/they're/theirs) <3 OH and next episode's guest....YOU'RE GONNA SCREAM HEHEHE
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Social media inquiries: carolinesusko20@gmail.com
Podcast Inquiries: onthebrightsidepod20@gmail.com
More about me (Amazon Storefront, LTK, Podcast Course etc): HERE
WANT TO SEE A GUEST GET ON THE MIC? Fill out this google form and keep an eye out on both IG's
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
Advice, big sister advice, reinvent your life, podcast, podcast episode, personal growth, birthday, letting people go, therapy, navigating 20s, letting go of friendships, outgrowing people, mental health awareness, anxiety, mental health podcast, positivity, Monday motivation, post grad, friendships, being alone, sober, growth mindset, boundary setting, confidence
On this episode of On the Bright Side, I chat about the latest of my silly stories, a creep encounterment on the airplane (T&P’s to them ), and the reminder that a seat at a new table is waiting for you. Consider today’s episode a little bit of both - silly yet motivational ( and relatable) aka Caroline coded. Happy listening!!!!
ocials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
This week’s episode has me written all over it. From dumpster diving for my phone, to doing social media for Thomas Rhett, to hosting my first OTBS event: Wake Up to Wellness. I truly live so many lives. I chat about how these pinch me moments came to be, the left field comments I’ve been getting as of late and what real friendship looks like - like going barefoot in bars and casinos because someone’s shoe broke (Brooke, your people RIDE for you). Oh, and a few other funny things that you’ll just have to hear about. I DON’T CARE. It’s chaotic, it’s funny, it’s very me. HAPPY LISTENING HEHEH
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
One thing I love about these episodes is that I get to mix humor with real life. On this episode of On the Bright Side, I’m talking about how sometimes we need to break instead of constantly bending just to please other people, because the more we bend, the more we lose ourselves in the process. And honestly, is it even burning a bridge when we break … or are we just clearing a path for something new? But of course, before we get into all that deep stuff, I’ve got to talk about pop culture, my silly opinions, and what’s been going on in life lately. OH and of course On the Bright Side's FIRST event: Wake Up To Wellness!!! Love Y'ALL!!
If you told me this is what my life would look like one year post-grad, I would've said you're CRAZY!! A lot of unexpected...both good and bad. But that's the beauty of post-grad: you jump off the deep end for the first time in your life and are told to find your path and purpose...it's hard, but it's also amazing.
So, now being one year post-grad, let's chat, because whether you just graduated or are four years post-college, I think we can all relate to this and may even need to hear it: it's okay if you feel behind, if life moved in a different direction than you expected. It's okay to be living at home, or to move away and want to come back. It's all a part of life, and it's not talked about enough... so of course, what are we going to do? Talk about it.
Love y'all! Happy listening & congrats grads!!!
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
This week, I’m back from a Wilmington trip that basically made me remember how much I love the South. My content popped off (normalize tooting your own horn), and yes, I did put the car in neutral mid-drive, but passenger princess duties were still served. From sunrise swims to pre travel anxiety, I’m recapping the week, and how we can't let anxiety get in the way.
Anxiety can be loud... but so can I. So let's CHAT!! This ones for the overthinkers, cancelers, and worriers: you're not broken. You're just letting anxiety steer more than it should — and we’re done with that!!
We've all heard the advice: "If he wanted to, he would," "You have to hustle 24/7 to succeed," and "Never change for anyone." On the surface, they sound empowering, but when you dig a little deeper, you start to wonder: are these ideals really lifting us up, or quietly wearing us down?Because here's the truth: you don’t need a $100 skincare routine to practice self-care, and success isn’t a badge earned by exhaustion. So what happens when "inspirational" advice turns toxic? Let's chat!!
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's Tiktok: @carolinesusko
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
Luke Combs was right, when it rains it does pour...but that rain helped me to see life more clearly...so I'm taking it as a win. Last week was no walk in the park, but we made it to the next week, and so naturally I'm going to make fun of it now. OH WAS IT A WHIRLWIND!!! Because yes, it's called on the Bright Side but not every part of life has to be celebrated as a win, and some weeks we just need to laugh and say Thank GOD that weeks over ( and this was one of those).
On this episode of OTBS, I talk about how important it is that we live our life in the now, and not the when. Because before we know it time will pass, opportunities will fade, and someday may turn into never. SO WE’RE TAKING BABY STEPS TO THAT!!! But because I am the most unserious person, I do this episode in a silly way…because life isn’t that serious!!! So let’s just chat about life, this idea and the fact that Coachella sounds like my literal exposure therapy and my target is broken. Happy listening!!!!
Socials
OTBS Instagram @onthebrightsidepodd
OTBS TikTok: @onthebrightsidepodcast
Caroline's Instagram: @carolinesusko
Caroline's TikTok: @carolinesusko
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
Your personality is a privilege to be around and if people don’t see that, then there’s the damn door. On this episode of On the Bright Side, I’m diving into the importance of sharing your personality with the people who truly appreciate it. Oh, you think I’m quiet? I’m not. Like at all. You either lost the privilege of my personality or just haven’t earned it yet.
Too often, we fall into the trap of people-pleasing, overcompensating when someone doesn’t like us, and showing even more of ourselves in hopes of changing their minds. But why?
Okay, let’s CHATTTTT!
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter Official
https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-official
Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/-sundown-drive
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/2H-uKkyJzSs
On this episode of OTBS, I get on a pop culture kick and then accidentally get motivational??
Someone said something to me the other day, and it got me thinking—do we ever really know the impact we have on people? A passing comment, a small act, something we forget five minutes later… but to someone else, it sticks.
So today, we’re talking about the things we don’t realize people carry with them, how to handle bitter energy with grace (or at least fake it), and the reminder that we never really know the hearts people go home to.
PS ( Bachelor take a seat, because traitors is the new hot show).
Otbs's NEW TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthebrightsidepodcast (onthebrightsidepodcast)
Otbs's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthebrightsidepodd/ (@onthebrightsidepodd)
Caroline's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinesusko/?hl=en (@carolinesusko)
Caroline's TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/ (@carolinesusko)
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
They say the girls who get it, get it—and the girls that don’t, don’t and when it comes to mental health, truer words have never been spoken. Anxiety isn’t just stress, OCD isn’t about color-coding your closet, and intrusive thoughts don’t play fair.
On this episode of On the Bright Side, I’m joined by influencer, author, and writer Carrie Berk to dive deep into the messy, unfiltered reality of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the inspiration behind her new book, Mindfire: a raw, intimate diary of her mental health journey.
Navigating your 20s is hard enough, but add a voice in your head dictating your every move? That’s a whole different level of chaos.
From intimacy anxiety to panic attacks, we’re breaking the silence on the struggles too many people face alone—because the more we talk about it, the more we realize we’re in this together. Let’s talk about the mental health taboo today and normalize it. Remember you’re never alone. This episode is super helpful, but there are parts that may be triggering to some. Please keep in mind before streaming.
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Be Amazing - a wellness in supplement brand committed to creating healthier products. Use code BrightSide for 10% off your orders
Carrie’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/carrieberkk/?hl=en
Link to Preorder Book:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mindfire-carrie-berk/1146656470
Otbs's NEW TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthebrightsidepodcast (onthebrightsidepodcast)
Otbs's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthebrightsidepodd/ (@onthebrightsidepodd)
Caroline's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinesusko/?hl=en (@carolinesusko)
Caroline's TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/ (@carolinesusko)
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62
They say life is about making decisions, but no one tells you how exhausting it is to actually make them. On this episode of On the Bright Side, I asked for your advice, and you answered—boldly, honestly, and without hesitation. And let me tell you, the stories that came in were anything but simple. From cheating men, to the friends who poof—disappear without a word, to the constant struggle of ignoring the very advice we’d give our best friend… there’s no shortage of drama in this thing called life.
And it’s funny, isn’t it? How we can so clearly see the solutions to other people’s problems, but when it comes to our own—well, that’s a different story. It’s like we finally realize we’re ignoring the very advice we’d give our best friend, but somehow, we can’t bring ourselves to follow it. Why is it so easy to be a life coach for others, but the hardest thing in the world to coach ourselves?
From the constant pressure to take a leap of faith when you’re not sure where you’ll land, to the “What now?” feeling that comes with leaving the past behind, this episode is all about navigating the chaos, the uncertainty, and the messes we find ourselves tangled in. I’m here to offer some thoughts, a little advice (take it with a grain of salt, obviously), and maybe, just maybe, a reminder that we’re all just figuring it out as we go. Because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: life isn’t neat, it’s not always clear, and sometimes it’s downright messy. But maybe that’s the point.
Love you all, happy listening <3
Otbs's NEW TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onthebrightsidepodcast (onthebrightsidepodcast)
Otbs's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthebrightsidepodd/ (@onthebrightsidepodd)
Caroline's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinesusko/?hl=en (@carolinesusko)
Caroline's TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/ (@carolinesusko)
Music:
Sundown Drive by Ghostrifter http://bit.ly/ghostrifter-yt
Creative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0
Free Download: https://hypeddit.com/track/o4ir62