We Can’t Do It Alone is a podcast about the helpers—the humans who’ve come in and out of our lives and have played a role in who we are today.
The teacher who fostered our love for reading. The partner who provided us with safety. The stranger who listened. The coach who believed in us when we didn’t. The friend who changed our mind. The dog who rescued us.
This show is a reminder that helping is who we are. It’s a part of us. It’s what makes this life beautiful. We’re shaped by the help we receive, and the help we give. Help comes in many forms, and it’s not always obvious. Every so often, time has to pass before we can see how we’ve been helped. Sometimes we take the help for granted. Other times help is just a passing moment.
In a world that obsessively valorizes individual strength, We Can’t Do It Alone celebrates why we’re truly here: the helpers. Each of us. Our collective. However large, no matter how small, and everything in between. Asking for help is courageous, receiving help is essential, and helping one another is who we are.
Because we all need help, and we can’t do it alone.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We Can’t Do It Alone is a podcast about the helpers—the humans who’ve come in and out of our lives and have played a role in who we are today.
The teacher who fostered our love for reading. The partner who provided us with safety. The stranger who listened. The coach who believed in us when we didn’t. The friend who changed our mind. The dog who rescued us.
This show is a reminder that helping is who we are. It’s a part of us. It’s what makes this life beautiful. We’re shaped by the help we receive, and the help we give. Help comes in many forms, and it’s not always obvious. Every so often, time has to pass before we can see how we’ve been helped. Sometimes we take the help for granted. Other times help is just a passing moment.
In a world that obsessively valorizes individual strength, We Can’t Do It Alone celebrates why we’re truly here: the helpers. Each of us. Our collective. However large, no matter how small, and everything in between. Asking for help is courageous, receiving help is essential, and helping one another is who we are.
Because we all need help, and we can’t do it alone.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Sinead Farrelly, National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) champion, World Cup footballer for Ireland, scream enthusiast, and most importantly, a human, to explore the feeling of being cut off from yourself inside the competitive, intense world of professional sports, the weird way in which grief entangles itself in you, connecting your body with your heart, how a safe relationship can help you feel safer within yourself, and the importance of anger rituals.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Enjoy the podcast? Here are some ways to support to Nōn:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with biblio, poetry and hip hop therapist, creator of the Readers Who Run with the Wolves book club, and author of Bibliotherapy In the Bronx, Emely Rumble LCISW, to explore Emely's childhood being raised by her grandmother and the books that helped her to escape and to understand, foster care and the safety within being present, the life-changing power of public libraries, how hip hop therapy helped one of her client's open up his heart, and the connective, healing magic of deep listening.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Enjoy the podcast? Here are some ways to support to Nōn:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with podcaster (I Thought It Was Just Me), creator of Tinder Live, musician (Final Girl out now!), and You Will Find Your People author Lane Moore to explore the feeling of not wanting to talk about our mental health because we're tired of drowning in it, why dogs are helpers too and how Lane's dog Lights gifted Lane their first truly safe relationship, how to communicate what you need in relationships, and what it's like to see and be seen in our friendships.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Enjoy the podcast? Here are some ways to support to Nōn:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with nature nerd, rock climber, and National Parks Service ranger Alex Wild to explore the ups and downs of Alex's firing and then rehiring by way of ridiculous Elon Musk's ridiculous DOGE cuts, how the empathetic and impassioned response from the public influenced his return to the park service, the stuff in life we take for granted because of our lack of awareness of its impact on us, and the inherent meaning and poetry of wilderness.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Enjoy the podcast? Here are some ways to support to Nōn:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with best-selling author, scholar-activist, ancestral medium, podcaster (From Root to Bone), and founder of Decolonizing Therapy, Dr. Jennifer Mullan to explore the feeling of being held, what it's like for Dr. Jenn to ask for help as a woman of color, the systems that eat up big-hearted helpers, the beauty of sacred rage, why sometimes you need a helper who will talk to debt collectors for you, and all the many human things—resources, ego, energy, resentment—that influence our capacity for helping and receiving help.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Enjoy the podcast? Here are some ways to support to Nōn:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with writer, podcaster, NAACP honoree, and The Woke Mama herself, Whitney Alese, to explore how many things can be true at once, seeing possibility through the eyes of the people we love and look up to, why we're both into real feelings over hot takes, the magic of childlike wonder, and Whitney's transformative story about a generational quilt that represents Black love and liberation.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with friend, father, and recently graduated social worker Craig Dickson to explore how we're shaped by listening to people's stories, Craig's experience being a dad to two kids who live with autism spectrum disorder and how his kids help him deepen his patience and soften his anger, why we shouldn't be judged by how well we follow society's expectations, and learning how to ask for help.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with disability justice activist, founder of the Upgrade Accessibility movement, award-winning podcaster (The Politics of Disability), and author of Adventurous Adeline, Mary Fashik, to explore what it feels like for Mary, as someone who is immunocompromised, to see the world "move on" from Covid, why online activism is real activism, how Mary's community helped her realize that she had been living with multiple chronic conditions, and why all issues are disability justice issues.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with social justice activist, award-winning author of The Wake Up, and podcaster (I Feel That Way Too) Michelle MiJung Kim to explore how to be human with each other, the beauty of resilient relationships, Michelle's identity quakes, how we can all take on more collective risk in pursuit of collective liberation, and the story of when Michelle lost nearly all of her clients for standing up for Palestine.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To kick off season 2 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn introduces this season by getting a lil spicy and exploring today's rampant individualism and why community, and the helpers, are our resistance.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
xoxo
nōn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 9 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with illustrator, video creator and podcaster, Sophie Ansari (Podcrushed) to explore the culture of curiosity in the Bahá'í faith, having a life partner who is open to learning, naughty things we did as teenagers and being a hopeful teenager, and why we're mirrors for each other.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 8 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with comedian, actor and writer Daniel Van Kirk to explore human adaptability, why helping is an unspoken part of a single-parent home, the importance of celebrating while we're still in it, and why working hard and being kind gets you the second job. According to Nōn, Daniel is a sweetie pie, even if he might look like he can rough you up.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 7 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Ess Crossley (he/they) to explore our new project The Feely Cards (out October 22*), how helping sometimes looks like people educating us even if it feels uncomfortable, Ess's transformation from their "women phase" to their beautiful nonbinary trans little bean world, and how our capacity for love, patience, helping, and even being human is rekindled by community.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
About Ess:
Ess Crossley (he/they) is a tattoo artist, co-founder of the Fruity Ceramic Studio, illustrator, and co-creator of The Feely Cards. They are a beautiful non-binary trans little bean who Nōn cherishes deeply. Connect with Ess on Instagram at @itskindaok.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 6 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Eric Dorsa to talk about their experience as a queer person in recovery (eating disorder, substance), how we silence or diminish parts of ourselves when things are disordered, what it's like to reclaim space in a world where you've felt unseen and unsupported, and how Eric embraces drag as a medium for bringing more inclusivity and equitable care in the recovery realm.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
About Eric:
Eric Dorsa (they/she/elle/ella) is a drag performer (Fonda Koxx), podcaster, makeup artist, and mental health advocate with Eating Recovery Center and Project Heal. They are an activist who uses drag as a way to bring awareness to the inequities and inaccessibility in eating recovery spaces for folks of color, queer people, trans folks, and other marginalized identities. They are a gem of a human being who Nōn cares for deeply.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 5 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Sam Robertson to explore the ripple effect of helping, why reading is the best way to strengthen your empathy muscles, why stories are the core of humanity, Sam's experience as an owner of an independent bookshop, and why bookstores are the heart of community.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
About Sam:
Sam Robertson is the co-owner of Arvida Book Co., a magical independent bookstore in the heart of downtown Tustin, California. Sam is also the editor-in-chief of The Arvida Review, a community-oriented short fiction publication that provides a platform for new and diverse voices. She finds joy in the company of her daughters Abby and Ellie, her husband Mike, as well as indulging in the pleasures of reading, gardening, and dedicating time to serving her community.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 4 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Bill Cole to explore coming of age during the AIDS crisis, queer representation in film, the particularly heinous stigma around AIDS, how someone you've never met can be a helper, and the lasting legacy of AIDS activist icon, Stephen Gendin.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
About Bill:
After growing up on the beaches of Southern California, this highly sensitive creative soul put his talents as an artist, designer, and decorator to use for almost four decades in theater, film, television, and event production. Bill has also been a visible figure in the L.A. nightlife scene as the omnipresent doorman at the legendary neighborhood gay bar, Akbar. Bill is a big fan of history, especially LGBTQ+ history. For the past decade, Bill has been on a personal journey of emotional healing and self discovery. The next chapter of his life puts him in the deserts of Southern California, focusing on some more personal creative projects like his photo journal Instagram page, @mailslotboys, which documents a particular aspect of gay nightlife culture from a unique perspective. He hopes to have prints ready for a gallery show soon!
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 3 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with 20-something neurodivergent queer disabled writer, Zee Zelinski, to explore why we're mosaics of everything and everyone we've ever interacted with, the particular grief of help and helping as a disabled person, gender identity, feeling seen as a little queer kid, and Zee's love letter to poet Andrea Gibson.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Zee (they/them) is an intersectional writer and advocate residing in Washington State. Their work highlights their experiences in being a queer, neurodivergent, disabled 20-something in today's society. You can connect with Zee on Instagram @thebeautifulgods.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 2 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with NY Times bestselling author Frederick Joseph to explore the craft and respite of writing poetry, Black boys and men being whole beings capable of being strong and soft, collective liberation, and how we feel collective care should look like: I am yours and you are mine. Frederick is the author of the heart-stirring poetry collection, We Alive, Beloved.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Frederick Joseph is a Westchester raised two-time New York Times bestselling author, and a “genius across genres.” His books include a poetry collection, We Alive, Beloved, two books of nonfiction, Patriarchy Blues, and The Black Friend, a collaboration, Better Than We Found It, and a children’s book, The Courage to Dream, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Joseph’s books have been named an Amazon Editors’ Pick, notable by the International Literacy Association, Best Children’s Book of the Year by Bank Street College, a Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice selection, Booklist Editors’ Choice, and more. He has written for The Boston Globe, Essence, Huffington Post, AdWeek, and Cosmopolitan, and won both the Letter Review Poetry prize and a Letter Review Essay prize. His most recent writing on politics and culture can be found on his Substack. He lives with his wife Porsche and dog Stokely in New York City.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On episode 1 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Giselle Vriesen to explore being a first-time author, forgetting oneself in pursuit of creating, holding the darkness and the light, and letting people in to allow them to help us. Giselle is the author of Why We Play With Fire, a mythological adventure story that I absolutely adored.
Helpful things mentioned during this episode:
Giselle Vriesen (she/they) is a 23-year-old author living on Halalt First Nations land on Vancouver Island Canada. Her debut YA fantasy novel Why We Play With Fire released in February of 2024 through Row House Publishing, distributed by S&S, her sequel is upcoming in 2026. Giselle is also the co-creator of the Anti-Racism Course for Educators, teaches a writing course that facilitates decolonized and embodied storytelling, and has been a professional tarot reader for the past eight years.
How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:
Connect with Nōn and the podcast:
Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
