Adventures in Adversity: an inspirational podcast

Ep. 93: Men's mental health - the hidden crisis no one talks about

Nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the U.S. are men...and yet, men’s mental health is one of the least talked-about crises of our time. In this episode, we break down: * Why men are more likely to suffer in silence * How societal expectations around masculinity shape emotional behavior * Why so many men avoid therapy and emotional expression * The real impact of “be strong” culture * How to redefine masculinity and emotional strength * Practical ways to support a man who is struggling * How to raise emotionally healthy boys This conversation explores the real reasons behind the stigma around men’s mental health...and what needs to change. You’ll also learn why vulnerability is not weakness, but a critical form of strength. This episode is sponsored by DIVINI [https://livedivini.com/], a honey-based sparkling kombucha. Use code BREANNE10 at checkout for a discount. Key topics covered: * Male suicide rates and mental health statistics * The help-seeking gap for men * Cultural expectations of masculinity * Emotional expression in history and culture * Teaching emotional skills early * Building resilience through emotional awareness * Removing shame from vulnerability Need support? You're not alone! BetterHelp [https://www.betterhelp.com/] TalkSpace [https://www.talkspace.com/] American Addiction Centers [https://americanaddictioncenters.org/] Mental Health America [ https://mhanational.org/] Christian therapists [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?search=Christian+therapist] The Kevin Love Fund [ https://kevinlovefund.org/] Jordan Peterson on dealing with depression [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm_2zmX6Akc] If this episode helped you or someone you know, please share it. Follow this podcast for more conversations on mental health, growth, and leadership. #MensMentalHealth #MaleSuicide #MentalHealthMatters #MasculinityAndMentalHealth #EmotionalVulnerability #MentalHealthAwareness #MenWhoCry #EndTheStigma

Ep. 92: DIVINI's sparkling honey kombucha tea story - Adversity to wellness with Mason & Cameron

I sit down with Mason and Cameron, the co-founders of DIVINI [https://livedivini.com/], to talk about how a homebrew kombucha recipe turned into a growing wellness brand built around gut health, intentional ingredients, and real-life resilience. Follow DIVINI on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/livedivini/?hl=en] Their story is a reminder that big things often start with one idea, one sip, and a willingness to keep going. We talk about the adversity behind building a company, the health struggles that inspired the product, and how both of them turned personal challenges into something meaningful. Mason shares how gut issues, acne, and a deeper focus on internal health shaped his approach, while Cameron opens up about his own transformation and how the brand became part of his journey, too. Topics we cover: -The story behind Divini and how the name came to be -What adversity looks like when you’re building a business from the ground up -Mason’s gut health and skin journey -Cameron’s health transformation and how it shaped the brand -Why kombucha became the base for Divini -The ingredients, flavors, and functional benefits behind the drink -Brand design, scaling, and getting into retail If you’ve ever thought about starting something of your own or making changes in your health, this episode is a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect...it just has to be intentional This episode is sponsored by ⁠DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea.⁠ [https://livedivini.com/] Use code Breanne10 for a discount at checkout. Follow the podcast on⁠ Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/] and⁠ Facebook⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/] #DIVINI #HoneyKombucha #KombuchaTea #GutHealth

Ep. 91: Surviving narcissistic abuse - my story, red flags, and 10 things I wish I knew sooner

I share how I survived narcissistic abuse, the red flags I missed, and the 10 things I wish I’d known sooner. In this episode, I break down what narcissism actually is (it’s not just “being full of yourself”), how abuse shows up in friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics, and why confusion can be a red flag on its own. From love bombing and gaslighting to smear campaigns and “flying monkeys,” I walk through the patterns I experienced - and how doing my own research and learning from survivors and experts helped me finally see the truth. I also talk about how narcissistic abuse impacts your nervous system, why boundaries are non-negotiable, and how I’m using my healing journey to support others in the narcissistic abuse recovery community. What you’ll hear in this episode: * How I went from thinking it was “just a toxic relationship” to recognizing narcissistic abuse * What narcissism really is, from Professor Sam Vaknin’s definition to modern psychology * Red flags I ignored: love bombing, isolation, gaslighting, smear campaigns, and more * How narcissistic abuse can show up in women, including physical abuse toward men * The impact on my body, nervous system, and mental health * The 10 things I wish I knew sooner (including why “no” is a full sentence) * The role of faith and my relationship with God in my recovery Resources & Experts Mentioned: Professor Sam Vaknin [https://www.youtube.com/@samvaknin] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narcissismwithvaknin/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Malignant-Self-Love-Narcissism-Sam-Vaknin/dp/8023833847 Dr. Ramani Durvasula [https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorRamani] Podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-navigating-narcissism-wit-98632373/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorramani/ Claire Auden [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-claire-auden-podcast/id1713271431] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claire_auden_/ Richard Grannon [https://www.richardgrannon.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXP941XRLUI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard.grannon/ Coach Randy White Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialcoachrandywhite/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrandywhite/ Psychology Today Article on the Greek myth of Narcissus [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/transcending-the-past/201705/revisiting-the-myth-of-narcissus-and-healthy-narcissism] Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea. [https://livedivini.com/] Use code Breanne10 for a discount at checkout. Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/] #NarcissisticAbuse #AbuseRecovery #NPD #HealingJourney #MentalHealth

Ep. 90: John Kippen on rebuilding life after a brain tumor & facial paralysis

I sit down with John Kippen [https://www.johnkippen.com/], whose story is a powerful reminder that adversity can become purpose. John shares how a brain tumor and the facial paralysis that followed completely changed the course of his life, and how he spent years learning to accept himself, rebuild his confidence, and find meaning on the other side of trauma. What stayed with me most was John’s honesty about how long healing can take. He talks about the 12-year journey it took to truly love himself again, and how helping other people became the turning point that helped him step out of his own pain. Through magic, coaching, and deep human connection, John found a way to turn limitation into impact. In this conversation, we talk about: * His brain tumor diagnosis and the facial paralysis that changed his life. * The emotional toll of hiding, isolation, and self-image struggles. * How magic became a path back to confidence and connection. * Why helping others is one of the most powerful ways to heal yourself. * His belief that being different is your superpower. John also shares unforgettable stories from his work as a magician and speaker, including moments that showed him just how much one conversation can change someone’s life. John Kippen’s website [https://www.johnkippen.com/] *This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea. *Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://livedivini.com/]and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount!

Ep. 89: Imposter syndrome, self-sabotage, & still going after what you want...with Omaira

We're back at Oakland Podcast Studio [https://oaklandpodcaststudio.com/] with one of my besties and a returning guest, Omaira [https://www.instagram.com/maifaizyar/], for a very real conversation about imposter syndrome [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/imposter-syndrome#understanding-imposter-syndrome]...what it looks like in our actual lives and how we’re learning to move through it. From building her vending machine business in the Bay Area to me growing this podcast while working full-time, we talk about the quiet ways we both downplay our wins and question whether we belong in the rooms we’ve worked hard to be in. We unpack imposter syndrome as a “cognitive distortion,” share personal stories about internal dialogue (“I’m just a wannabe podcaster…”), and talk about the shame and cultural pressure that can make it hard to admit you’re struggling. We also get practical: naming imposter syndrome in the moment, shifting our physical state, using accountability buddies, exploring EMDR, and leaning on faith and spirituality when our brains feel especially loud. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who am I to do this?” this episode will help you feel seen...and remind you that doubt doesn’t get the final say. Ep. 12: Going inward - handling loss & grief, health scares, & life's curveballs w/my friend Omaira [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2t68iLP1749VRnm6M3ZE1C] Bay Area EMDR therapist, Natalie Kiff [https://axishealth.org/ibh/] Jordan Peterson on how to overcome imposter syndrome [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7MNDl2Q-_rU] What's in a name? How we can use language to combat imposter syndrome [https://www.youthstem2030.org/youth-stem-matters/read/whats-in-a-name] *This episode of Adventures in Adversity is sponsored by DIVINI, a honey-based sparkling kombucha tea. *Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠LiveDivini⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://livedivini.com/]and use discount code *Breanne10* at checkout for a discount! Follow Adventures in Adversity on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Facebook #imposter syndrome #self-doubt #mindset #mentalhealth #EMDR #entrepreneurship #womeninbusiness #podcasting #BayArea