All The Wiser

In this profound and touching hundredth episode of "All The Wiser," we sit down with Lyena Strelkoff, a storyteller, artist, and spiritual counselor. Lyena shares her story of healing, acceptance, and discovering unexpected magic after she was paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a tree while climbing for fun. Through her one-woman show that extended from three weekends to a six-month run, Lyena has touched the ...

In this week's episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and associate producer, Tara Daigle, reflect on the impact of the 100 charities All The Wiser has supported in the podcast's five years. The people, causes, and organizations we've encountered leave us hopeful and inspired.

After getting to know 100 charities and the people behind them, we can report that despite all the suffering, there's so much good happenin...

Many of us walk different paths before finding our true calling. But what catalyzes such a life-altering pivot? At just 25, Sonia Vallabh, while attending law school, faced a life-altering moment when her mother began to exhibit worrying health symptoms – symptoms that rapidly progressed into a devastating illness. Sonia will share the heartbreaking journey of her mother's battle with prion disease, a fight that not only challe...

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and producer Erica reflect on the previous interview with Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward." They explore the emotional depth of Mark's story, his commitment to his wife through her mental health struggles, and the broader themes of love and dedication in relationships. The conversation touches on the challenges of caring for a partner with mental...

Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward" speaks with Kimi about the profound impact of mental illness on his marriage and family life. He shares the harrowing journey he and his wife Julia have navigated through bipolar disorder, from the frightening onset of her psychosis to the unpredictable waves of recovery and relapse. Mark provides a candid account of the emotional strain, the learning curve of caregi...

In a heartfelt follow-up to last week's episode, co-hosts Kimi and Erica reflect on the profound stories shared by Kimi's sister-in-law, Lee Henry. They discuss the resilience required to face life's adversities, the significance of maternal health discussions, and the healing that can arise from embracing forgiveness. Reflecting on the need for challenging conversations with our loved ones, Kimi and Erica inspire liste...

Lee Culp Henry is a mother, psychotherapist, a coach's wife, and host Kimi Culp's sister-in-law. She speaks in conversation with Kimi about her harrowing past five years and the many tides of her postpartum journey. Faced with a traumatic accident following her newborn's birth and subsequent medical scares, Lee openly recounts her battles with postpartum OCD, the shame of secrecy, and her immense strength in overcoming ...

In this episode of "A Little Wiser", Kimi is joined by Erica and Tara. The co-hosts reflect on last week’s interview with Arno Michaelis, a former white nationalist turned peace activist, author and filmmaker. They discuss the role of simple acts of kindness and humanity from the individuals he was "supposed to hate" in altering Arno's belief system.

Forgiveness, letting go of past identities, and the troubling r...

Is extremism a public health issue? Kimi sits down with former neo-Nazi skinhead, Arno Michaelis, to discuss his transformative journey from spreading hate to advocating for compassion and forgiveness. Arno shares candidly about his recruitment into white nationalism, the pivotal role his family played, and the life-changing moments that led him out of the movement. He provides insight into the underlying pain fueling such ideologi...

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi shares her experience of delivering her first TEDx talk titled, “The Transformative Power of Sharing Our Painful Stories.” She expresses her fears of having ex-boyfriends in the audience and her readiness to move beyond mental health as the main focus of her speeches.

Kimi, Erica, and Tara discuss the importance of Simon Fung’s story, highlighting the continued prevalence and harm of...

Simon Fung is the host and creator of the podcast, "Dear Alana." The show quickly became a hit, touching the hearts of millions with a universal story of coming of age amidst the struggle for self-acceptance. In this episode, Simon discusses his intense pursuit to alter his sexual orientation in order to follow his dream of becoming a catholic priest. He shares his candid revelations, from the depths of conversion therapy t...

Kimi and Erica reflect on last week's episode with Matty Fiorenza, a first responder grappling with the invisible scars of PTSD. They emphasize the importance of raising awareness and taking inspired action to support the mental and emotional health of our first responders. Kimi shares the backstory of how we discovered Matty and the heartbreaking connection they have in common. 

A valuable takeaway that resonated with both ...

Matthew Fiorenza, a former firefighter and paramedic turned mental health advocate shares how the traumas encountered on the job silently chipped away at his mental health. He bravely battled through the depths of depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. We discuss the pivotal moments that ultimately led him to seek help and the healing modalities that made all the difference, including a pr...

Welcome back, Wise Ones, and Happy New Year!

In our first episode of 2024, Kimi, Erica, and Tara discuss holiday highlights, hangovers, and the slow process of post-holiday “re-entry ”.

All The Wiser has some big news to share with you. In April, we will celebrate 5 years of brave storytelling, 100 full length episodes, and 100 charity partners.There is an end to all good things, and this season will be the last. We also plan on maki...

In the final episode of this season's A Little Wiser, Kimi and Erica reflect on last week's episode featuring Rebecca Kaduru. Kimi explains how an episode of The Happiness Lab inspired her to invite Rebecca onto the show. Erica expresses her admiration for Rebecca's impactful work with women in Africa. They also discuss the pros and cons of public vulnerability, and how Rebecca's story reminded them of the comfort f...

Rebecca Kaduru's life was forever altered by a catastrophic accident in Uganda. But after receiving shockingly insufficient medical care, her nightmare was only beginning. Rebecca endured extensive reconstructive surgeries for her physical wounds, but the emotional trauma had a profound impact on the way she views herself and her personal and professional priorities. She discusses the challenges of recovery in a social-media fo...

In this mini episode, we dive into the powerful and touching story of spoken word poet Andrea Gibson. Our host, Kimi, along with producer, Erica Gerard, and associate producer, Tara, reflect on the experiences and insights shared by Andrea in the previous episode. From discussing the transformative power of their cancer diagnosis to exploring the essence of love, authenticity, and gratitude, the conversation delves into the profoun...

Are you pushing away joy? Getting stuck in a cycle of anxiety and grief? World renowned spoken-word poet Andrea Gibson (they/them) can relate. In this powerful and personal episode, Andrea shares their battles with stage fright, extreme anxiety, chronic Lyme disease, and stage 4 ovarian cancer. They also explore the transformative experiences brought about by Andrea’s cancer diagnosis, taking ownership of their health, and their co...

This week’s A Little Wiser is a special Thanksgiving edition. Kimi is joined by producer Erica Gerard and associate producer Tara Daigle in conversation about how to “save your sanity” during the holiday season. They share personal tips that help them prioritize self-care, establish healthy boundaries and protect their space while being surrounded by friends and family.

Links:

Family Gathering: https://www.amazon.com/TABLETOPICS-...