This week I am so excited to welcome back three-time guest and friend of the show, Hope Woodard! When I first had Hope on Solace and the City, we talked about her experience navigating her relationship with substance use as I began my own journey being alcohol-free. When we next chatted, Hope was about to embark on a year without dating, relationships, hookups, and any other type of involvement with men and the male gaze. Since then, Hope's boy sobriety has been covered by The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and many other outlets who were fascinated with, what seemed to be, modern day celibacy. But in this episode, Hope breaks down what being Boy Sober truly means: a decision to choose yourself.

I feel so honored to have guest as my last guest before my move from New York City back to Austin, Texas, where Solace and the City will take a hiatus. To keep up with Hope, you can follow @justhopinalong on Instagram and TikTok. Be sure to also look out for BoySober storytelling shows coming to a city near you in the future!

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Luke Timm and John Timm, two cousins who have a shared passion for mental health and the New York nightlife. I connected with John back in 2022 after he came across an episode I did on the Mental Matchup podcast. He had just started a mental health non-profit, No Man Sits Alone, and we chatted about ways we could collaborate. Fast forward two years, and I see that his cousin has gone viral on social media for being the "hot bouncer" of New York City. In this episode, Luke and John share their respective stories dealing with mental health and addiction challenges. They then discuss how they prioritize their wellness while working for two NYC bars, 82 Stanton and 310 Bowery. Luke is also sober, so he talks about what it's like working at a bar while not drinking alcohol. I had such a pleasure recording with these two cousins. Make sure to follow @luketimm and @johntimmjr on Instagram to stay updated with events they host at their two venues!

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with childhood friend and mental health advocate, Josh Murphy. Josh and I grew up together, and over the years we have bonded about the importance of therapy. In this episode, Josh talks about how his therapist has helped him navigate some of the toughest challenges in his life, from being a college athlete to navigating the public eye. We also talk about the crucial role that friendships have played in Josh's life. I have always been in awe of the friendships that Josh has, and I'm so happy I had the chance to sit down and learn more about how he has cultivated such strong relationships.

After a seven-week hiatus, I am back to post the remaining episodes of this season! This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Brandon (Bills) Jenkins and Sebastian Stant of the lifestyle brand Sadderday. The duo connected back in 2013 over Twitter. In the past eleven years, they have created a company that works to reduce the stigma around feeling sad. Their t-shirts, hoodies, and hats create conversation and encourage vulnerability. To learn more about Bills, Sebastian, and Sadderday, you can follow @sadderday on Instagram, visit www.sadderday.com, or visit their showroom on 623 Lorimer St in Brooklyn, New York.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with two friends and aspiring clinicians, Betsey Goldwasser and Dan Fabi. I met Dan through a former guest, Ari Borinsky, because we both changed careers and decided to become therapists. Betsey is a friend and fellow graduate from the Columbia School of Social Work. Some of my first conversations with both Dan and Betsey were about their love for Experience Camps, an award-winning national nonprofit that transforms the lives of grieving children through summer camp programs and innovative, year-round initiatives. Through compassion, connection, and play, we allow grieving children to embody a life full of hope and possibility. By amplifying their voices, Experience Camps is creating a more grief-sensitive culture. In this episode, Dan and Betsey talk about what led them to pursue careers as therapists and how their time volunteering at Experience Camps influenced their decision to work in the helping profession. I had so much fun recording this episode with Betsey and Dan and am EXTREMELY excited to be volunteering at Experience Camps this summer! Be sure to check out experiencecamps.org to learn more about this wonderful organization.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Arshay Cooper, a rower, author, motivational speaker, and volunteer for numerous community outreach organizations. I was connected to Arshay through my wonderful friend Stella Stephanopoulos. Through Stella, I learned about Arhsay's work in the rowing community as well as his memoir. A Most Beautiful Thing is moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-Black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives.

I had so much fun talking to Arshay about his memoir, the documentary based on this incredible true story, and the advocacy work that he is still involved in today. Be sure to follow Arshay on Instagram @arshaycooper to keep up with all of the amazing things he continues to spearhead.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Eli Rallo, an ex-theater kid turned multi-dimensional creator, writer, media personality, journalist, and podcast host. She recently released her debut book I Didn't Know I Needed This: The New Rules for Flirting, Feeling, and Finding Yourself. Eli and I are actually from the same town, but it took 25 years for us to finally cross paths. In this episode, Eli talks about her journey towards becoming the incredible writer that she is today and a NYC-based content creator loved by so many. We talk about Eli's new book and the future creations she has in store. To follow along Eli's journey, be sure to add her on Instagram @eli.rallo and buy her book wherever books are sold!

This week I am so excited to share my  conversation with Daniela Cell and Martin Crozier from Barry’s and Solidcore, respectively! The word that comes to mind when I reflect on this podcast episode is kismet. I had originally planned to record with another creator, and when he cancelled last minute, I racked my brain for people in my life who I could record with. After taking a class with Martin the previous Friday, I decided to reach out and see if he would be interested in talking about the mental health benefits of group fitness. He graciously agreed, and then I realized how important it would be to share a female perspective on this same matter. I called up Barry’s in Brooklyn Heights and asked if any of their female instructors would be open to coming on Solace and the City last minute. (We’re talking 15 minutes before “lights, camera, action”). Like a true champ, Daniela took time between her two back to back classes to come to the studio, and the rest is history!

This spontaneous conversation does not disappoint! Daniela and Martin talk about their journeys towards becoming fitness instructors and the things they have gained both inside and outside of the studio. They also share some really cool insights about how they tailor their classes to the location, time, and studios where they coach. Be sure to follow @danielamceli and @martin_crozier on Instagram, and DEFINITELY check out their classes in New York City!

This week I am so excited to welcome back entrepreneur, reality TV star, and my personal sober icon Carl Radke to the Solace and the City podcast! Carl first was a guest back in February of 2023, right as I was beginning my journey to sobriety. Back when we first spoke, I asked Carl if his company, Loverboy, would ever branch out into the N/A world with their spiked sparkling teas. You can imagine my excitement when I saw Carl announce that Loverboy was expanding into the N/A market a few months back!

In this episode, Carl and I talk about the various hurdles that one is faced with as they navigate their first, second, and third years of sobriety. Carl shares about how he is able to stay sober while being one of the main faces of an alcohol company and also provides tips on how to set yourself up for success while living a sober lifestyle.

I feel so blessed to have had Carl on my podcast not once, but twice! You can follow his journey on Instagram by following him @carlradke, and I highly encourage you to check out his website The Radke Boys. Here Carl shares his full sobriety story and provides resources for those who may be struggling. Finally, you can find Loverboys (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions) in stores near you!

Today marks my first year of sobriety, and so it feels only fitting that I share a conversation with someone who was an integral part of my journey to recovery. Chloe Veitch is an icon -- not only is she a model, media personality, and popular host, but also a star on multiple Netflix shows including Too Hot To Handle, The Circle, and Perfect Match. At only 24 years of age, Chloe is wise beyond her years. In this episode, Chloe shares her journey to sobriety which began at a time of personal, professional, and global tumult. We chat about how the drinking culture in the United Kingdom compares to the American tendency to binge and where reality television comes into play. Chloe truly is as kind, funny, and charismatic as she appears on the screens. I could not be more grateful to her and all of the other people who have acted as beacons of light as I navigated the murky waters of sobriety over the past twelve months.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Ari Borinsky, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy! (That's a lot of words, so let's break it down). Ari graduated from Columbia and became passionate about alternative medicines after attending his first ayahuasca retreat in Peru. When he started his own private practice, he knew that he wanted to incorporate some of the techniques he had learned from his mentors into his work. Now Ari incorporates ketamine into his psychotherapy sessions with clients, helping them to connect with their subconscious in a safe environment.

I literally knew nothing about KAP (ketamine-assisted psychotherapy) prior to chatting with Ari. I am so grateful for his kindness and wisdom, and I can't wait to see how the future of psychedelics unfolds! If you are interested in working with Ari, check out Brooklyn Psychedelic Psychotherapy in Greenpoint! https://www.brooklynpsychedelicpsychotherapy.com/

The most-listened-to guest of Solace and the City is back and better than ever! I am SO excited to be sharing my second podcast conversation with Hope Woodard with you all. In this episode, Hope and I have a sobriety catch-up. When we first recorded back in January, I had been only 10 or so days sober, and Hope had been well over the year mark. Fast forward to this conversation, and I just hit my 300-day mark! Over these 300 days, Hope has been re-evaluating her relationship with alcohol and other substances. We talk about the real struggles that come with maintaining a soberish lifestyle and the importance of meeting yourself where you are. Hope shares her plans to be boy sober for the next year and explains her theory about jumping in and out of the wagon when it comes to her own journey cutting off substances. I really think you all will enjoy this episode, as Hope is truly amazing. Be sure to share it with your friends, follow @justhopinalong, and check out her new podcast Phone A Friend!

CW: This podcast contains content related to disordered eating and sexual assault. If at any point this episode becomes too triggering, please be sure to pause it and take some time to yourself. Furthermore, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or is struggling after an incident of sexual assault, help is available. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

I feel incredibly honored to share this episode with NYC-based comic, writer, and actress, Hanna Dickinson. I first heard Hanna speak on one of my favorite female-led podcasts and was completely moved by her story. Most people go through one or two major traumas throughout their entire life. Hanna experienced multiple in the matter of months. In this episode, Hanna talks about what led her to become sober from alcohol and amphetamines. She talks openly about being abducted and raped on her 29th birthday in Los Angelos, as well as contracting an STI in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanna's story is first and foremost a testimony of her resilience. Despite the many traumatic experiences that she has faced in her young adult life, Hanna keeps on fighting and finding the silver lining to push forward. She finds humor in even her darkest days and uses comedy as a therapeutic outlet to share her struggles. One of my favorite quotes from a guest of this podcast is, "laughter is the greatest disinfectant." Hanna embodies this quote more than anyone I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I truly hope everyone takes a listen to her tale. You can keep up with Hanna by following her @hansdickie on Instagram.

Welcome back to Season 5 of Solace and the City! I can't believe we are coming up on our fifth year of this show. For those who are new here, I launched Solace and the City back in October of 2019 on a complete whim. It's truly amazing to be here four years later looking back on all the incredible progress I have made no only on the show but also in my own life. In honor of my 28th birthday now behind me and the fifth year of this podcast quickly approaching, I decided to record an episode of 28 lessons that I have learned in my 28 years of life. This lists consists of a mix of pieces of advice I’ve been given, favorite quotes and sayings, tips and tricks from my therapist, and other lessons that I’ve been working on and will continue to work on in the years to come.

I am not easily able to talk about times when I am proud of myself, but there is one thing I am certain of - I am SO proud of this episode! It truly was a labor of love. It would warm my heart if everyone takes a listen, because I guarantee at least one of these lessons will resonate with you. Please feel free to share this episode with a friend, a partner, a roommate, a parent, or anyone else who you think could benefit from these tidbits of guidance.

Cheers to another year around the sun and many more to come! Love you all.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

This podcast is proudly sponsored by one of my swim and apparel favorite brands, LSPACE! Although summer is sadly behind us, LSPACE also has gorgeous and comfy sweaters for fall that I have been absolutely loving. You can click here to visit their website and use code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first purchase!