Essential Self-Care

Ep 102: Generative AI and Mental Health: Helpful or Harmful?

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7. While widespread adoption of generative AI is being pushed across industries, what do we know about its impact on our mental health? What started as a personal experiment of “No AI April” led me to a deeper exploration of the research, case studies, and articles about its mental health impact. In this episode, I share what we know about generative AI’s association with: * Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and irritability * Breaks from reality, delusions, and psychosis * The isolation paradox These mental health outcomes have been reported in as little as days to weeks of personal or work-related use of genAI platforms. This episode is an invitation to explore your own experience and potential implications of adopting generative AI tools personally and in the workplace, along with strategies to safeguard your mental well-being. P.S. I want to hear from you! Share your comments and questions with me here: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact] One more thing—if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a positive review—it really does go a long way to making sure this show reaches more people who need it. Articles referenced in this episode: * https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/01-02/trends-digital-ai-relationships-emotional-connection [https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/01-02/trends-digital-ai-relationships-emotional-connection] * https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/how-ai-chatbots-try-to-keep-you-from-walking-away [https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/how-ai-chatbots-try-to-keep-you-from-walking-away] * https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2844128 [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2844128] * https://www.mentalhealthjournal.org/articles/minds-in-crisis-how-the-ai-revolution-is-impacting-mental-health.html [https://www.mentalhealthjournal.org/articles/minds-in-crisis-how-the-ai-revolution-is-impacting-mental-health.html] * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40373033/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40373033/] * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40577783/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40577783/] * https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2026/executive-summary-happiness-and-social-media/ [https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2026/executive-summary-happiness-and-social-media/]

Ep 101: The Comeback Episode

After a 7-month hiatus, Essential Self-Care is back with new episodes, fresh insights, and meaningful conversations to support you on your journey of cultivating a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself—so you can show up as your best, most radiant self in all walks of your life. In this solocast episode, you’ll get a peek at what I’ve been up to the past 7 months—including a preview of my new book and the six steps that may help you rediscover inner calm amidst the noise of the world around you. P.S. I want to hear from you! Share your comments and questions with me here: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/contact] Oh, and one more thing—if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a positive review—it really does go a long way to making sure this show reaches more people who need it!

Ep 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes + What We’ve Learned Together

In this milestone episode, I’m celebrating 100 episodes of the Essential Self-Care Podcast! Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with 60 guests who’ve shared their stories, insights, and wisdom around self-care. In this special solocast, I reflect on some of the biggest themes that have emerged: -Self-care is a journey, not a destination -Saying no and setting boundaries is tough, but essential -Our physical bodies can be powerful entry points for self-care, through movement, dance, or other forms of exercise -Self-care looks different for everyone, and it shifts with each season of life I also share what this show has meant to me personally and reveal an important announcement: I’ll be taking an intentional pause from recording new episodes. But don’t worry, this podcast isn’t going anywhere! You can continue to tune in, replay your favorite episodes, and catch up on the ones you may have missed. A heartfelt thank you for tuning in and for allowing me to play a small part in your self-care journey.   Download your free gift “6 Simple (Yet Powerful) Steps To Create Your Radiant Life” at https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/6-steps-workbook [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/6-steps-workbook]   If you enjoyed this episode, then: 1. Subscribe 2. Leave A Positive Review 3. Share This Episode With Someone You Know!

Ep 99: Becoming a Steward of Yourself w/ Dr. Nneka Unachukwu

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Nneka Unachukwu, also known as Dr. Una. As a physician and founder of EntreMD, Dr. Una helps doctors build profitable businesses and practice medicine on their own terms. In this episode, however, Dr. Una and I get personal - she shares a pivotal moment when EntreMD was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. This milestone made her realize the importance of becoming a good steward of herself in order to continue giving back and paying it forward. Dr. Una walks us through the five self-care practices that have become non-negotiables in her life: prayer & meditation, long walks, weightlifting, setting boundaries, and reading. We also discuss the importance of experimenting to find what truly works for you. We reflect upon how self-care often involves reconnecting with activities that once brought you joy, peace, and contentment and finding ways to reinvigorate them in your life today. This conversation offers practical insight and inspiration to prioritize yourself and steward your life with intention.   Connect with Dr. Una: www.entremd.com/ [http://www.entremd.com/] Get the Journal: www.entremd.com/journal [http://www.entremd.com/journal]   Enroll in Reclaim Your Radiance today: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/reclaim-your-radiance [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/reclaim-your-radiance] Download your free gift “6 Simple (Yet Powerful) Steps To Create Your Radiant Life” at https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/6-steps-workbook [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/6-steps-workbook]   If you enjoyed this episode, then: 1. Subscribe 2. Leave A Positive Review 3. Share This Episode With Someone You Know!

Ep 98: Permission to Slow Down w/ Jennifer Fluke

In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Fluke, a physician assistant and founder of Inspiring Wild Hearts. She shares how she found peace and healing during one of the most challenging times in her life. Through intentional hikes and moments of stillness in nature, Jenn discovered that slowing down was essential to her recovery from a traumatic event. We talk about why taking life at a gentler pace can feel uncomfortable at first, how multitasking can actually get in the way of true processing, and why rest without guilt is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Jenn also shares her biggest lesson from this journey: to be gentle with yourself and know that needing rest is not weakness — it’s wisdom. If you’ve been running on empty or struggling to give yourself permission to pause, this episode will remind you that slowing down might be exactly what you need.   Connect with Jenn here: https://www.inspiringwildhearts.com/ [https://www.inspiringwildhearts.com/] @inspiringwildhearts   Get the course “Inner Radiance Through Meditation” now: https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/classes-workshops [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/classes-workshops]   Download your free gift “6 Simple (Yet Powerful) Steps To Create Your Radiant Life” at https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/6-steps-workbook [https://www.radiantlivinginstitute.com/6-steps-workbook]   If you enjoyed this episode, then: 1. Subscribe 2. Leave A Positive Review 3. Share This Episode With Someone You Know!