In this episode, Grace Varca, host of DC’s first girly-pop podcast, “Kind of a Lot,” and founder of The Night Run Club, shares openly about navigating the challenges that come with job loss after experiencing a layoff earlier this year. Grace and I explore the emotional impact of layoffs, the journey of redefining identity, and the importance of community and creative outlets in navigating life's transitions. Grace shares her experiences with mindfulness, therapy, and the job search process, emphasizing the significance of self-investment and resilience. Our conversation highlights the power of taking ownership of your career and building supportive communities.
Takeaways:
Chapters:
01:23 Introduction to Grace and Her Journey
05:23 The Day of Layoff: A Personal Account
09:43 Redefining Identity After Job Loss
13:34 Building Community: The Run Club and Podcast
17:36 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Future Aspirations
23:57 Navigating Life Changes and Mental Health
30:23 Advice for Those Facing Layoffs
32:28 Self-Discovery Through Adversity
38:19 Creating Opportunities from Setbacks
Connect with Grace:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/gracevarca/, https://www.instagram.com/kindofalotpod/, https://www.instagram.com/thenightrunclub/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gracevarca, https://www.tiktok.com/@kindofalotpod, https://www.tiktok.com/@thenightrunclub
Podcast Website: https://kindofalotpodcast.com/
Run Club Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-night-club-104412812021
If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter
In this episode, Amanda Bourbonais, founder of Health First Freelancer, shares her journey of building a successful six-figure freelance copywriting business while managing chronic Lyme disease and ulcerative colitis. She discusses the importance of prioritizing your health, the role of functional medicine, and her experience with EMDR therapy. Amanda also talks about her community, Health First Freelancer, which supports individuals with chronic illness in creating businesses that prioritize health.
Takeaways:
Chapters:
01:23 Introduction to Amanda
03:12 Health Challenges and Breakthroughs
07:30 Understanding Chronic Illness
16:45 Building a Freelance Business
26:02 Therapy and Mental Health
27:45 Understanding EMDR Therapy
36:55 Scaling a Freelance Business
43:05 The Health First Freelancer Community
46:55 Advice for those Struggling with Chronic Illness
Connect with Amanda:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthfirstfreelancer
Website: https://www.healthfirstfreelancer.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthfirstfreelancer/
If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter
In this episode, I introduce my super cool girlfriend and co-host of the “Water Girls” podcast, Marieka, who shares her journey through the ups and downs of dating, overcoming heartbreak, and finding her way to a place of strength and happiness. We discuss the importance of compatibility in relationships, the significance of mental health and therapy, the role of manifestation in achieving personal goals, and the story of how we met. Marieka shares the lessons she’s learned over time and advice for anyone currently going through heartbreak. Our conversation emphasizes the value of vulnerability and support systems. ♡
Takeaways:
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
05:20 Highs and Lows: Personal Reflections
11:02 Dating Journey: High School to College
16:49 Coping with Heartbreak: The Low Point
22:50 Advice for Overcoming Dark Times
31:25 The Importance of Therapy and Support
36:55 Shifting Approaches to Dating
51:23 Manifestation and Its Role in Relationships
58:56 Defining Partnership After Growth
Where to Find “Water Girls,” a show about women’s sports:
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00NnoJZmugYg89ps4W9SiK?si=1ac5fdc3738f41ec
Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/water-girls/id1725190966
IG: https://www.instagram.com/watergirlspod1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@watergirlspod
If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Angeleaza to discuss the complex journey of navigating grief and loss. Angeleaza shares her personal story of losing her dad 11 years ago, exploring the unexpected nature of his passing and the profound impact it had on her life. The conversation dives into the different types of grief, the challenges of coping with PTSD, and the importance of acceptance and finding new normals after loss. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about death and grief. Please take care of yourself while listening and consider if this content is appropriate for you at this time. ♡
Takeaways:
Connect with Angeleaza:
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qbkAd2e15P8qidh9BJWRx?si=be39ac150b534a93
Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-are-you/id1654322399
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-are-you-podcast/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/whatareyou_pod/
Email: hello@whatareyoupod.com
If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter
Get ready to unlock a whole new level of confidence, clarity, and calm in your workday! In this episode, I’m chatting with corporate meditation leader and keynote speaker Nadene Cherry, who I was first introduced to when I took one of her meditation classes at Deloitte (which was awesome!). Nadene helps professionals unleash their best work by finding inner peace through the power of meditation and mindfulness. After a successful 18-year career in enterprise technology sales, Nadene discovered the transformative power of a personal mindful meditation routine, which not only brought her inner peace but also helped her become a consistent top performer. Now, she's dedicated to teaching teams across industries about how taking “Permission to Pause” allows them to thrive both personally and professionally.
Connect with Nadene:
Website: www.nadenecherry.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadenecherry/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadenecherry/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nadenecherry
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter
In this episode, I’m chatting with a previous coworker and fellow UMD alum, Lauren Der, about her experience with a serious spinal injury, the connection between mind and body, therapy, her advice for those going through a serious health event, and more. She also shares her story behind creating Opsy, a health-tracking app that supports people tracking pain levels and mood to get a better handle on their physical and mental health. Whether you are living with a chronic health condition, going through long-term recovery from surgery, interested in trying therapy, or just curious to learn more about how Opsy can support your needs, this episode is for you. ♡
Learn more about Opsy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/opsyhealth/
Website: https://opsyhealth.com/
Book Recommendation:
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
In this episode, I’m chatting with my high school friend Gabrielle, who you probably know as Zingara, the popular EDM DJ. We’re diving into how she’s used manifestation to build her dream life and career, going from DJing small local shows to playing huge festivals like Electric Forest and Red Rocks. She shares how mindfulness and grief have shaped her journey, and how she creates not just music, but an experience that connects with people on a spiritual level. We talk about her behind-the-scenes rituals, what manifestation actually looks like in her day-to-day life, and how she stays grounded in a world that’s constantly on the move. If you’ve ever felt called to chase a dream, but fear, doubt, or outside noise held you back, this episode is for you. 💫
Connect with Zingara:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zingaramusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zingaramusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zingaramusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZINGARAMUSIC
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LxbXRVEMOw6i1WSa2YQn1?si=WY8Mc6kLQt-H2Q9IxWpvRQ
Book Recommendations:
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂
Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact
Trigger Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a loved one, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7. You are not alone. <3
I’m speaking with self-sabotage expert Dr. Phil Agrios about how to spot and stop the hidden trait that's sabotaging your success. Dr. Phil spent over 35 years as a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner and experienced firsthand how stress, overwhelm, and hidden emotional patterns derail even the most driven people. His experience fueled his research into human behavior, ultimately leading him to discover what he calls the “Hidden Biological Trait,” which is an inborn mechanism that unknowingly causes self-sabotage, imposter syndrome, procrastination, and fear of rejection and failure. Now, through his T-NOW method, he helps professionals identify this trait, neutralize it, and break free from the cycles that keep them stuck - allowing them to thrive both personally and professionally. If you’re looking for practical steps to overcome self-sabotage in your daily life, this episode is for you.
Connect with Dr. Phil:
Websites: thetnowmethod.com and https://transcendnow.biz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drphilipagrios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drphilipagrios
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drphilagrios
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
This episode is all about reinvention, bravery, and living life on your own terms. I’m speaking with transformational success coach, author, and public speaker Heather Vickery. Heather’s work is rooted in helping people break through fear, set powerful boundaries, and intentionally design lives they’re proud of. After coming out of the closet, ending a decade-long marriage, and rebuilding her life as a single mother of 4, Heather turned her own transformation into a mission: to empower others to live boldly and authentically. She’s the founder of Vickery & Co., where she works with individuals and organizations using a unique blend of tools, including Human Design, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), positive psychology, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), to support deep growth. Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, exploring your sexuality, or trying to build a life that feels like freedom, this episode is for you.
Stick around at the end for a live Human Design reading 😉
Connect with Heather:
Website: https://vickeryandco.com
Podcast: https://www.wasitchance.com
Email: heather@vickeryandco.com
Costa Rica Retreat: https://vickeryandco.com/costa-rica (enter "Lauren Roche" under “How you heard about the retreat” at checkout)
Book Recommendations & Resources:
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
This is an episode you want to watch 👀
I had the opportunity to record at Kit Studios in Boise, Idaho, and it was so cool! This is a mixed bag solo episode answering questions you all submitted, including how to improve self talk when trying new things and habits supporting me as an early-stage entrepreneur. I also talk about my emotions leading up to the Craft + Commerce conference.
Get your ticket to our July virtual vision board workshop here
Website: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/
Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod/
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
This episode is all about life transitions, identity, mental health, and holistic healing. I’m speaking with a former design coworker turned transformation and life coach, Misha Volf. Misha’s work is rooted in helping people navigate major life transitions with purpose, resilience, and authenticity. They are the founder and programming director of The Queens Well, a yoga and holistic wellness studio in Queens, New York, where they design and lead learning experiences focused on personal growth, collective healing, and spiritual transformation. Their approach weaves together coaching, somatics, design thinking, and spirituality, offering a holistic path for those seeking healing and growth. Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, exploring your gender identity or sexuality, or seeking to deepen your understanding and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, this episode is for you.
Connect with Misha:
Email: misha@thequeenswell.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thequeenswell/
Book Recommendation:
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
Trigger Warning: We dive into some tough topics including alcohol and drug addiction, escorting, abuse, trauma, suicide, and self-harm. These discussions can be intense, so please take care while listening and make sure you’re in the right headspace. Resources are linked below if you or someone you know needs support. You are not alone. <3
In this episode, I’m joined by Australian Content Creator and Podcast Host Paris Le Maistre, the voice behind Sh*ts F*cked - a show unapologetically dedicated to breaking the stigma around addiction and mental health. Paris opens up about her deeply personal journey through alcohol and drug addiction, her past work as an escort, and the road to reclaiming her life through sobriety, therapy, and healing. We talk about the habits and mindset shifts that keep her grounded today, the power of sharing your truth, and what it really means to start over when you feel stuck. She also shares advice for anyone struggling in silence, plus some of her favorite books that helped her along the way. Paris is now using her voice and vulnerability to support others navigating recovery from a peer-based perspective. This conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
Connect with Paris:
Website: https://www.shtsfcked.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/shtsfcked/
Resources:
Book Recommendations:
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
What does it really take to build a career—and a life—across borders? In this episode, I sit down with fellow University of Maryland alumna Analía Gomez Vidal for a powerful conversation on navigating international moves, the emotional toll of uprooting your life, and how to pivot your career with purpose. Analía shares her journey from Argentina to the US, how she transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship, and the challenges she’s faced while building a business as a visa holder. We also dive into the mental health impacts of constant change, pressures young professionals face, and what it means to chase a vision with courage. Whether you're considering a career shift, thinking of moving abroad, or just trying to figure out your next step, this episode is for you.
Connect with Analía:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/agvservicesllc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agvservicesllc
Website: https://www.agvservicesllc.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
Trigger Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of suicide ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a loved one, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7. You are not alone. <3
In this episode, Angela and I discuss how she originally got on American Ninja Warrior, recovering from an ACL tear, permission to feel tough feelings, how to shift your mindset, journaling, self doubt, fear, her Pull-Up Revolution program, her podcast “What If It All Goes Right?”, daily habits that help her stay grounded, and more. We also discuss the power of gratitude and introduce my new “Community Gratitude Practice” newsletter to help boost mental health. Enjoy!
Connect with Angela:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/angela_gargano/
Speaking Engagements: angela-gargano.com/speaking
Podcast: angela-gargano.com/podcast
Newsletter: angela-gargano.com/monday
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you (:
Trigger Warning: This episode contains a brief discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a loved one, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7. You are not alone. <3
In this episode, my friend Kelly and I discuss cultural differences with mental health between Scotland and the US, the UK healthcare system, coping strategies, workplace culture, working as a woman in tech, and more. Enjoy!
You can find Kelly on Instagram @kelzz.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review. Thank you (:
Trigger Warning: This episode contains some discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a loved one, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7. You are not alone. <3
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the topic of depression with a very special guest, my mom. My mom shares when she first started experiencing symptoms of depression, what it was like growing up in her house, her experience working with providers to find the right treatments and medications, the power of seeking help, tools she’s learned from therapy, her advice to her younger self, and more. Enjoy!
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also support the podcast by following/subscribing, rating and reviewing it on whatever platform you’re listening/watching. Thank you (:
*Don’t come at me for the sound quality of this episode - we had lots of technical difficulties*
Trigger Warning: This episode contains some discussion about suicide ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a loved one, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7. You are not alone. <3
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the topics of mental health medication and related moves the current U.S. administration is trying to make with a college friend, Caroline. Caroline shares her mental health journey, her experience working with providers to find the right treatments and medications, her thoughts on the February executive order establishing a “Make America Healthy Again Commission,” advice from her own therapist, and advice for those struggling but hesitant to seek help. Enjoy!
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review. Thank you (:
In this episode, I talk to someone I honestly never thought I’d get on my podcast. They (don't wanna reveal their identity before you watch/listen) have redefined what it means to manifest your wildest dreams. When you hear this person’s story, you’ll understand why they are one of the most talked-about figures of our time.
Their influence spans multiple industries - from tech to wellness to entertainment - and their work has been featured in magazines like The New York Times and Sports Illustrated. They claim to have hacked the human mind to unlock limitless optimization potential. They’ve had experience coaching billionaires, and they once went off the grid for a year and came back having doubled their 6-figure income. I'm excited for them to share their insights with you!
April Fools!!!!! (;
In this solo episode, I talk about quitting my job and the emotions I’ve felt over the past 5 weeks. Enjoy!
If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or family member. If you know someone who’s thinking about quitting their job / going full-time entrepreneur and wants to hear what it’s like on the other side, send it their way. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review. Thank youuuu (:
In this episode, I talk to Resilience Coach, Author, TED Speaker, and Founder of Trifecta Mental Health LLC, Michelle Dickinson. We discuss her mental health journey, what resilience coaching looks like, common challenges she sees among young professionals, preventing and recovering from burnout, mindfulness techniques, and more. Enjoy!
You can find Michelle on LinkedIn here or her website, https://resilienceasalifestyle.com/. You can try the 3-min YouTube meditation Michelle mentioned here.
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or family member. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review. Thank you (: