We Gotta Talk: News, Issues, and Beauty for Women
By Sonni Abatta
Hosted by Emmy-nominated and AP News Award-winning journalist and television host Sonni Abatta, We Gotta Talk features guests on a variety of topics in the news, pop culture, wellness and spiritual space who will inform, entertain and inspire.
Let's talk.
We Gotta Talk: News, Issues, and Beauty for WomenAug 02, 2021
298: The Art (and Science) of Female Friendships, and How to Be and Find Good Friends, with Friendship Coach Danielle Bayard Jackson
As any woman knows, there’s an art to establishing and maintaining our friendships.
Why she chose to focus her work and research on female friendships
The metrics used to measure female friendship
“The three affinities"--the ways women find each other and stay together
The things that bring us together, and the things that tear us apart
How to know if a friendship has run its course
“Girl rules”
Big break points for female friendships--college, weddings, babies
The "Mean Girls" theory
Advice on how to maintain friendships
Check out Danielle on IG here!
297: How Deuxmoi Changed the Celebrity Gossip Game
I'm a huge fan of this week's guest and chances are, so are you.
Deuxmoi entered the celebrity journalism and gossip space officially around 2020, and since then her Instagram account has grown to over 2 million followers who can't wait to see the latest tips and sightings she regularly reports.
I ask Deux how she got started; why she's chosen to remain anonymous and how that's impacted her life and reporting; the dustup she had with Taylor Swift's PR team; the latest celebrity headlines and more.
Listen to Deux's podcast Deux U here, and read her novel ANON PLS. before it gets turned into a TV series, here!
296: Better Brain Health and the Tests a Neurologist Recommends (and Doesn't), with Neurologist Dr. Romie Mushtaq
The real talk on preventive testing continues this week with triple-board certified neurologist and integrative medicine practitioner Dr. Romie Mushtaq. She was the first person I called when I got my Prenuvo scan back, and told me some info that anyone doing preventive testing should know.
We cover:
+ The benefits and drawbacks of preventive testing
+ The tests to ask for if you want to know about your brain health
+ "Unidentified bright objects" on the brain
+ How to maximize brain health
...and more!
Check out Dr. Romie's book, The Busy Brain Cure, HERE!
295: Being Jewish in America, and Finding Faith in a Time of Tumult, with Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld
What's it like to be Jewish in America right now?
This week's guest, Rabbi Cantor Judy Greenfeld, is here to talk about that and so much more.
We discuss why it is all of our work right now to build bridges, look for the commonalities, and seek God in the everyday, no matter how--or to whom--you pray.
It's a conversation that not only highlights the reality of what Jews in America are facing right now, but also offers a glimmer of hope that there is a brighter world ahead.
Topics covered:
+ Finding peace in our turbulent world
+ Talking to kids about God
+ Holding onto faith, even through hard times
+ Having civil conversations with philosophical opponents
+ Viewing our ideological opponents as humans
+ Protecting your energy through collective trauma
294: Exactly What Your Tween and Teen Should and Shouldn't Be Using on their Skin, and the Rise of the Sephora Tween, with Twiish Founder Elise Tabin
This week I'm hosting Elise Tabin, former Executive Beauty Editor at New Beauty Magazine and the founder of Twiish Skin, the line for tweens and teenagers who want to get in the skincare game, but don't want to be stealing their mom's products. (Because let's be honest, those products aren't for their skin anyway!)
Elise and I run through:
+ The exact products your tween or teen should be using
+ The ingredients they need, and the ones they need to avoid
+ Why she chose colloidal silver to feature in Twiish
+ Red light therapy
+ Procedures for the moms like buccal fat removal, lip lift, and other procedures
...and more!
Shop the exact products Elise recommends for tween and teen skin HERE.
293: NEWS FOR NORMIES: The Latest on the Islamic Republic Attack on Israel; What Could Happen Next, and How It Could Impact What's Happening in the Middle East
Iran recently launched what it says was a retaliatory strike against Israel, sending hundreds of missiles into Israel. But will Israel retaliate, and what would it look like if it did?
Christopher Hinn, former Senior Middle East advisor for the Department of Homeland Security and CEO and Managing Director of C-7 International is here to weigh in on that issue and more.
We cover what he thinks cold happen next; what's happening in the Middle East; and his thoughts on how the U.S. should respond.
292: Family, Fame and Loyalty, Italian-American Style: "On the Rocks" Author Maria Palmer on her Father's Rise and Fall from Grace
This week on the podcast you're coming home with me to McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.
An Italian-American enclave about ten miles west of Pittsburgh, it's the home of the once-famous Primadonna restaurant, which serves as the backdrop of the story you'll hear this week from "On the Rocks" author Maria Palmer--daughter of the restaurant's owner, Joe Costanzo.
"On the Rocks" chronicles Joe's rise to success in the 1990s as not only the owner of the Primadonna, but also a radio host, columnist, and aspiring politician, to his sharp fall in the early 2000s, ending in a stint in federal prison.
Maria walks us through what it's like to watch as everything her father has built comes crumbling down, and what it's like to recover from it.
Come with us on a conversation that dives into hard work, loyalty, betrayal, and a whole lot of Italian food.
Get your copy of On the Rocks HERE.
291: Everything You Need to Know About Prenuvo: How to Prepare; What It's Like; What to Expect; and My Experience
In this solo episode I'm running you through my experience with the Prenuvo full-body scan.
I'm breaking down everything you need to know to prepare; what it's like; what you'll need to do; and answering the big question: Should you even do the Prenuvo scan?
***If you want a chance to win a $200 off card for your scan, sign up for the WGT newsletter here and keep an eye on your inbox!***
The full blog post with details on the scan is here.
290: Apocalyptic Mindset (Solo Episode)
In this solo episode, we're taking a break from the deep dives to just catch up.
We talk about how--and if--the world did Princess Kate wrong with the endless speculation on her whereabouts; the latest on our Disney cruise; a tale of getting scammed online, and more!
Disney Wish thoughts and tips blog post here, and episodes mentioned are below.
289: Thinking About Plastic Surgery? Start Here! Dr. Carolyn Chang Explains Why Natural Breast Implants are "In," What is Blepharoplasty, and the Real Deal on Deep-Plane Facelifts
If you've ever wondered if plastic surgery is right for you, this is your episode!
Your social media feed isn't lying... Plastic surgery is on the uptick in a big way.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that from 2019 to 2022, plastic surgeries on all parts of the body have increased by 19%.
This week's guest is Dr. Carolyn Chang, one of San Francisco’s leading aesthetic plastic surgeons and Vice Chair of Plastic Surgery at California Pacific Medical Center, and we are walking through all types of procedures from head to toe.
We cover specifics on:
+ The lip lift
+ Fat grafting
+ Buccal fat removal
+ Jaw fillers
+ Blepharoplasty
+ Deep-plane facelifts
+ Breast augmentation
...and more.
This episode is designed to help you decide if plastic surgery is right for you, what results to expect and more!
Find Dr. Chang online here, and check out the WGT blog with more posts on beauty, wellness and news here.
288: Should America Just Stay Out of Everyone's Business? A Case For, and Against, American Interventionism, and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Two Years Later, with Foreign Affairs Expert Calvin Dark
Let's be honest: It’s easy to turtle away in when you live in America--ignore the real problems that are happening in the rest of the world.
That’s why it’s even more important to stay informed.
Today we’re going in hard on a big political topic that's top of mind these days, as war rages in the Middle East and we hit the two-year mark in the Russia/Ukraine conflict: Should America just mind its own business when it comes to foreign conflict?
287: The 12 Actives for Glowing Skin; How Long Products Last; and the Importance of "Freshly-Activated" Ingredients, with Exponent Beauty's Liz Whitman
***USE CODE SONNI20 for your first purchase on Exponent Beauty before June 1, 2024!***
Here is the Vitamin C serum that I'm using that's made my skin crazy bright.
When you slather on that Vitamin C serum that you paid $100 for, when was it mixed? How long will it last? And how do you know you’re using the right amount on your skin?
Liz Whitman is the founder of Exponent Beauty, a company that makes skincare products that pretty much eliminate the need to worry about any of the above.
286: Caroline D'Amore Posted about What Happened on October 7th. She Never Could Have Guessed What Would Happen Next.
Caroline D'Amore posted about what happened on October 7th. She never could have guessed what happened next.
Caroline, owner of Pizza Girl and girl about (LA) town, decided one day to post about her Jewish friends struggling after the October 7th attacks.
The Reel was viewed 6 million times in one day, and that's when her chapter with what I call "accidental activism" kicked off.
Since then, she's been to Israel and met hostages' families, and she explains in this episode why she has a heart for both Israeli and Palestinians on this contentious issue. She also talks about how people can continue to show up to ask questions and learn more about it.
Episodes referenced in intro:
What a Palestinian-American Wants You to Know About What's Happening in the Middle East
What an American Jew Wants You to Know About What's Happening in the Middle East
Connect with Caroline on Instagram here
Check out Pizza Girl here
285: The Mayfair Group's Sam Abrahart Wants to Make the Internet Your Happy Place: Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Social Media Perfectionism
Making the internet a nicer place is a tall order, but this week’s guest is up for the task.
Sam Abrahart is a mental health advocate and the founder of The Mayfair Group. As someone who recognized the hypocrisy of the “perfection” that’s often peddled on social media, she wanted to change the narrative. When she started posting real and raw updates on her own life and mental health on social media, and let go of the need to show up in a certain way, people began flocking to her page and her posts.
Recognizing that there was a hunger for content centered around honest mental health conversations, Sam grew her social media presence and then decided it was time to launch an apparel brand with a mission.
The Mayfair Group makes gear that’s gone viral again and again. You might recognize their famous “Empathy” sweatshirt that’s been seen all on everyone from celebrities to normies.
And now The Mayfair Group is launching a new initiative--sponsoring free virtual therapist-led group sessions for their community. These Mayfair Mental Health sessions will be focused on a specific topic and hosted by a trained therapist from partners at MyWellbeing as well as Mayfair’s in house Mental Health professionals. Click HERE for details on how to sign up; the next session starts in March!
+ How much to share on social media and how to set boundaries around it
+ Living with depression and what her symptoms looked like
+ The self-care practices that work for her
+ The initiative The Mayfair Group is launching to give more people access to mental health assistance
+ How Mayfair was able to pivot so quickly into selling physical goods
284: Taylor 'n Travis Talk and Celeb Gossip Roundup, with Sarah Fraser
This week I break down the Super Bowl celeb appearances, halftime show and commercials with podcast host and radio star, Sarah Fraser, host of The Sarah Fraser Show.
We cover all the big game gossip, Sarah's hot take on Ozempic, and her journey with IVF.
Follow Sarah on IG here!
283: Navigating Hollywood, Motherhood and Bipolar, with Alessandra Torresani
This week’s guest is an actress who you may recognize from her runs on huge shows like The Big Bang Theory, American Horror Story, Batwoman, Two and a Half Men, and more.
She’s also the host of the EmotionAL Support podcast, which aims to address mental health stigma.
Today I'm talking with Alessandra Torresani about growing up with bipolar and what it looked like as a kid; how she managed it unmedicated during her pregnancy; and why she's committed to opening up conversations about mental health on her own podcast.
We also talk:
+ Her “aha” moment with motherhood
+ The benefit of hypnotherapy and inner child work
+ The healing modalities that have worked for her to help with mental health
+ What it was like going through pregnancy with bipolar
+ Growing up acting
+ What Britney Spears taught her about how we view mental health
...and more!
Check out Alessandra's podcast here, and follow her on Instagram here.
277: The We Gotta Talk Year in Wrap: Takeaways from This Year's Best Episodes
What a year it’s been!
2023 was all about individual and collective growth. Some crazy things have happened in the world, and on WGT we leaned right into discussions about them.
But we also took a moment to catch our collective breath and unwind with some fun talks on beauty, astrology, Ozempic (haha) and more.
In this episode I run through some key takeaways from top-downloaded episodes and a wide array of guests who focus on everything from plastic surgery, to spirituality, to world events.
All episodes are linked below. Enjoy, and Happy (almost) New Year!
Episode 261: All About Routines
Episode 269: There are No New Souls, with Malaurie Hotier
Episode 267: Do You Love a Narcissist? With Dr. Jaime Zuckerman
Episode 254: All About Ozempic with Michelle Cardel
Episode 259: Can You Cheat-Proof Your Marriage?
238: What Swinging Taught Ashleigh Renard about Good Sex
Episode 245: How to Rebuild Your Skin Barrier, with Dr. Heather Rogers
Episode 264: The Most Common Plastic Surgery for the 40+ Crowd, with Dr. Lara Devgan
Quilted Target robe linked HERE
279: Eat, Pray, FML: What to Do When Your Life Goes Off Script, with Gabrielle Stone
What do you do when, in the span of months, you find out your husband is cheating, and then you get dumped by the next guy who you're sure is going to be the answer to your heartbreak?
You pack up and go to Italy, that's what.
This week I'm interviewing actress, author of "Eat, Pray, FML," and "The Ridiculous Misadventures of a Single Girl," and podcaster Gabrielle Stone, all about turning drama and trauma into growth.
We talk all about rebounding from heartbreak, finding a true partner, motherhood and careers in this fully unfiltered episode of We Gotta Talk.
Check out Gabrielle's book HERE and check out her podcast, FML Talk, HERE.
282: Nikki Spoelstra Doesn't Care What the Haters Think (and You Shouldn't Either)
You may know her name from her now ex-husband, Erik Spoelstra, who's head coach of the Miami Heat, but Nikki Spoelstra is out to make a name for herself through her talent, authenticity, and pure grit.
In this conversation we get real about Nikki's recent divorce; why she got sober; how she survived childhood abuse; getting through her young child's cancer diagnosis... and why none of the above has dimmed her light or spirit.
I absolutely loved talking with Nikki, who's also the host of her own podcast, The Know. Buckle up for the very realest of Real Talk.
280: Get What You Want. Stop Trying to Fix Everything and Lean into Divine Unfolding, with Alyse Bacine
Ever feel like the more you try to fix something, the worse it gets?
This week's guest is here to tell us how the energy of "fixing it" can end up working against you. Alyse Bacine is a spiritual mentor and breathwork practitioner who has her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and helps people manifest their desires into realities.
She's also a believer that most people aren't manifesting the right way.
This is a deep dive conversation where we help you get out of your own way, and start living in the divine unfolding that will bring abundance to you.
We talk:
+ Why you should stop trying to fix everything + What it means to lean into divine unfolding + How to get past betrayal + Breaking our trauma response + Finding the higher perspective on a situation + Modalities for hearing ancestral trauma + Going beyond just “trusting the universe” to living from a place of knowing + Living “as if” + How to figure out who you really want to be + What it means to know "it’s inevitable” Check out Alyse's website here, and follow her on Instagram here.
280: Want to Get What You Want? Stop Trying to Fix Everything and Lean into Divine Unfolding, with Alyse Bacine
Ever feel like the more you try to fix something, the worse it gets?
This week's guest is here to tell us how the energy of "fixing it" can end up working against you. Alyse Bacine is a spiritual mentor and breathwork practitioner who has her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and helps people manifest their desires into realities.
She's also a believer that most people aren't manifesting in the right way.
This is a deep dive conversation where we help you get out of your own way, and start living in the divine unfolding that will bring abundance to you.
We talk:
+ Why you should stop trying to fix everything + What it means to lean into divine unfolding + How to get past betrayal + Breaking our trauma response + Finding the higher perspective on a situation + Modalities for hearing ancestral trauma + Going beyond just “trusting the universe” to living from a place of knowing + Living “as if” + How to figure out who you really want to be + What it means to know "it’s inevitable” Check out Alyse's website here, and follow her on Instagram here.
281: How to Live Like an Italian (and Become a Citizen Too), with Jennifer Sontag
This week I'm welcoming Jennifer Sontag, owner of Italian Citizenship Concierge, to talk all about what it's like to pick up and move across the world, to Italy.
Jennifer was an image consultant who worked with clients including Michelle Obama, then moved to teach at an international high school in Shanghai, and when she came back to the US finally, she decided she had one more move in her--to Italy.
In this episode we cover:
+ The cultural differences between Italy and America
+ What it's like to live in Sicily
+ All her recommendations if you're visiting Sicily
+ How to start the application process for citizenship and what documents you'll need
+ The websites you should start with when researching family documents
+ The cost of applying for citizenship
+ The work-life balance in Italy versus the United States
278: Why You Need to Streamline Your Skincare Routine, with Standard Self Care's Hannah Minardi and Austin Wiberg
***Use code WEGOTTATALK for 40% of your purchase on Standard Self Care!***
We're kicking off 2024 with some serious talk about self-care!
Hannah Minardi and Austin Wiberg are the founders of Standard Self Care, a skincare and lifestyle brand that's all about taking care of your skin and self with pure, powerful ingredients.
But we don't cover just skincare and beauty. I also grill Hannah and Austin--both repeat entrepreneurs--on how to launch a successful business.
We cover:
+ Why they created Standard Self Care and how it’s different from other brands
+ The benefits of streamlining your skin care routine
+ The luxury eye cream that theirs was modeled after + Why you should build failure into your business model
+ Their tips to launch
+ The best way to build a team
+ The importance of mentors
259: Can You Cheat-Proof Your Marriage? Marriage Coach Charity Craig Talks About Surviving an Affair, the Signs of Cheating, and What She Learned After Staying with her Husband
"No" is the (very) knee-jerk answer to the question, "Would you stay with your spouse if s/he cheated?"
But when the husband of this week's guest betrayed her, she chose to stay. Not only that, she also chose to own what she views as her part in her marriage's downturn.
Today I'm talking with marriage coach and podcast host Charity Craig all about infidelity. And maybe her story will change the way you think about infidelity... or maybe not.
We talk:
+ How she knew her husband was cheating
+ Dealing with judgment if you go back to a cheater
+ Identifying what is broken in a relationship
+ The signs of an early breakdown in a relationship
+ Avoiding the “victim mentality”
+ Why your instinct is your most powerful cheat-detection tool
+ Is one person ever at fault for an affair?
276: The Ultimate Last-Minute Gift Guide for Procrastinators
Procrastinators, unite! I am here for you (and I am one of you). If you have to get a thoughtful last-minute gift, here is the ultimate guide.
In this solo episode, I walk you through gifts you can buy now to have in time for Christmas Day.
Products mentioned:
Italic--designer clothing and accessories at wholesale prices
275: Tara Lipinski Gets Real on Infertility and Her Journey to Motherhood
There is just no way you don’t know today’s guest. And I can’t tell you how honored I am to have her on the show.
Tara Lipinski is not only one of the most well-known athletes in American history, but she’s also a gold medalist—the youngest Olympic gold medalist in figure skating history—a television commentator, a podcaster, and most recently, a mom.
This past October, Tara and her husband Todd welcomed baby Georgie into the world via surrogate, the culmination of a five-years-long journey into motherhood that was marked with plenty of struggle along the way—struggles that Tara is now opening up about with her nearly 1 million Instagram followers.
And today we are here to talk about the joys and challenges of new parenthood, how she’s doing with being a mom, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
274: What the Stars Have in Store for 2024! A Look at the Collective Future and a Sign-by-Sign Breakdown of What to Expect in the New Year, with The Celestial Astrologer, Lumi Pelinku
In this annual episode of WGT, I'm sitting down with astrologer Lumi Pelinku to talk all about what's in store for the new year.
We cover what the collective can expect--i.e. what could be in store on the world stage and here in America--as well as a sign-by-sign breakdown of themes for the new year.
Aries -- 27:20
Taurus -- 29:00
Gemini -- 31:37
Cancer -- 33:05
Leo -- 34:45
Virgo -- 36:20
Libra -- 38:05
Scorpio -- 41:25
Sagittarius -- 43:40
Capricorn -- 45:15
Aquarius -- 47:05
Pisces -- 48:48
272: What a Palestinian American Wants You to Know About What's Happening in the Middle East
In this special two-part episode of We Gotta Talk, we're looking at the conflict in the Middle East from a human perspective.
***Claims included in this episode have not been fact-checked and only represent the interviewee's viewpoint.***
In this first episode, you'll hear from a Palestinian-American woman. I asked her:
* What is one stereotype about “your side” that you wish to dispel?
* Is there something about the conflict that no one is talking about that you think is important for people to hear?
* Do you think people as a whole understand the true nature of the problem? And if not, what would you want to tell them?
* Is there something about your culture or people that you wish people knew?
* What don’t we understand fully about Israel/Palestine and their respective functioning political systems?
* How does religion complicate and/or simplify this conflict?
* In a perfect world, how would this conflict resolve?
* What is your greatest fear?
* Is there something that is giving you hope?
273: What an American Jew Wants You to Know About What's Happening in the Middle East
In this special two-part episode of We Gotta Talk, we're looking at the conflict in the Middle East from a human perspective.
***Claims included in this episode have not been fact-checked and only represent the interviewee's viewpoint.***
In this first episode, you'll hear from an American Jewish woman. I asked her:
* What is one stereotype about “your side” that you wish to dispel?
* Is there something about the conflict that no one is talking about that you think is important for people to hear?
* Do you think people as a whole understand the true nature of the problem? And if not, what would you want to tell them?
* Is there something about your culture or people that you wish people knew?
* What don’t we understand fully about Israel/Palestine and their respective functioning political systems?
* How does religion complicate and/or simplify this conflict?
* In a perfect world, how would this conflict resolve?
* What is your greatest fear?
* Is there something that is giving you hope?
271: Improve Your Health with Quantum Wellness, with Carrie Bennett of Carrie B Wellness
Carrie Bennett is here this week to talk about quantum health--what it is, and why it's worth a look as an add-on to your health routine.
We talk:
+ The four pillars of quantum wellness
+ The impact of light, grounding and EMF mitigation on health
+ Simple light therapy for mood and energy
+ Recharging your body with grounding
+ Why you need to take your health into your own hands
Check out Carrie's list of recommended products here.
Check out the WGT blog with more tips from experts here!
270: We are Living and Dying at the Same Time, with EndWell Founder Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider
This week we are diving into one topic that we all try to avoid even thinking about—death.
I remember when I was a kid, lying in bed as my mom would tuck me in… and even then--ever the anxiety queen--saying to her, “Mom, I don't want you to die! What even happens when you die?!” And she would say, “Sonni, death is a part of life.”
For my 5-, 6-year-old brain, that was a big statement to process, but I knew it was true. That simplest of explanations about death really is the most essential one.
We prepare for marriage or having children or getting our first job, but we really don’t prepare that much for death. Sure, you may have considered pre-paying your funeral costs to avoid having your kids deal with it… or maybe even grabbed up a burial plot. (It always freaked me out that my parents did this!)
But what of the emotional side of things? Have you ever thought about what you want your final weeks on earth to look like?
This week’s guest is the founder of a group that aims to change the conversation about dying—namely, by starting conversations about dying.
Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider is a physician, founder, speaker, producer, writer and the host of the TED Health Podcast who works as an internist at Crossover Health in San Francisco. She believes that we shouldn’t be scared to prepare for this inevitable part of life, but rather we should address it head on, with humor, with preparation, and with an understanding that this is something we will all have to deal with.
Her nonprofit foundation, EndWell, is focused on transforming the end of life into a human-centered experience.
They’ve created a group of doctors, tech leaders, policy makers and activists who—through education and events—address all the “big questions” and other worries we have about death, with the ultimate goal of creating a future where ending well becomes a measure of living well.
In this episode you’ll hear about the personal story that prompted Dr. Shoshana to start EndWell; the things that people most regret on their death bed; finding support when you or a loved one is sick; what is a death doula? And more.
So whether you’re also pacifying an anxious 5-year-old, or you just want to button up things for your own inevitable conclusion, this episode may just help you see death in a whole new light.
269: There are No "New Souls," and Why We Are All a Little Bit Psychic, with Malaurie Hotier
Do you believe in ghosts?
There are no shortage of stories about encounters with the other side. Maybe you had one yourself.
When a loved one is close to death and has conversations with other family members who’ve already passed.
Or maybe you’ve been walking around in your own house and something moved that shouldn’t, or you’ve felt a chill or a sense that someone, or something, else, was there.
There’s no doubt that humans have an innate desire to connect, and sometimes that means connecting with people who already passed on.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking with someone whose job it is to connect with these very spirits. The souls of our loved ones, or maybe just random souls, that I’ve already passed into the new dimension.
Malaurie Hotier, known as @MalauriePsychic, comes from a long line of psychics and witches. (mother, grandmother, great grandmothers, great uncle…Anyhow you get the idea). It’s in her DNA. She had been doing readings for many years and loves helping people find a sense of peace and clarity.
Malaurie tries to keep it real and simple and her tagline is "a grounded approach to the psychic world." No gimmicks, no pretenses, no bullshit. She is not a crystal ball, but can enter into a conversation with her clients' spirit guides and ancestors and see what they have to say. The answer might not always be what her clients want to hear but it is always grounded in love and with the client's greater good in mind.
In this episode, we talk:
+ Why we are all a little psychic
+ What happens with souls during the first 2-4 weeks after death
+ Her thoughts on parallel universes
+ Reincarnation
+ Why she doesn’t believe in the concept of “new souls”
+ Do soulmates really exist?
+ How to help spirits make it to the other side
+ Other places than earth where souls can exist
+ How to connect with past lives
+ How time is different “on the other side” than on Earth
+ Why some souls become earthbound
+ Why we do exist on the same plane as spirits
268: Andrew's Gift Guide for Guys
Andrew is back on the pod to share his hot take on the TS/TK relationship and give his comprehensive gift guide for guys. From stocking stuffers to experiences, he's got it all. He's the best gift buyer ever so we like to tap into his powers every year on the pod.
All links listed here!
Enjoy!
267: Do You Love a Narcissist? When a Partner or a Parent is a Narcissist, and What to Do, with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman
The word "narcissist" is thrown around a LOT on social media. But what is a narcissist, anyway... and what can you do if you have one in your life?
This week I'm joined by licensed clinical psychologist and nationally-recognized expert on narcissim, Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, and we dig into every facet about narcissism you need to know.
We talk:
+ The clinical definition of narcissism
+ Why therapy doesn't work for narcissists
+ How to tell if you're in a relationship with a narcissist
+ When a parent is a narcissist
+ How to test a new boyfriend or girlfriend to see if they have narcissistic tendencies
+ Is narcissism on a spectrum?
+ Can a person "heal" from narcissism?
...and so much more.
This one is a juicy one! Send it to every person in your life who you think might need this info.
Follow Dr. Z on Instagram here, and connect with her here.
Follow me on Instagram here, and check out the latest on the WGT blog here.
266: How to Extend the Look of Good Skin after In-Office Procedures, with Dermatologist Dr. Heather Rogers (HEALTHY SKIN SERIES)
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Rogers, MD, is here to talk about keeping your skin glowing after that facial, laser or PRP in this episode of the Healthy Skin Series.
We talk:
+ What is Sculptra
+ What is PRP
+ The difference between PRP injections and PRP microneedling
+ How to extend your in-office procedures like lasers and facials
+ Her new favorite in-office procedure that helps with the jaw line
+ Is filler every truly “reversible?”
Sign up for giveaways and exclusive discounts in the WGT newsletter here!
265: The Midlife Awakening, with Haely White
This week we are rounding out Midlife Awareness Month with writer, comedian and podcaster Haely White, who went through some major life changes in the run-up to 40. We talk about her sexual awakening, her spiritual evolution, and why every woman deserves to be a "new bitch" when she hits midlife.
264: The Most Common In-Office and Surgical Procedures for Women 40+; New Exciting Aesthetic Trends; and When to Graduate from Injectables to Surgery, with Dr. Lara Devgan, MD, FACS
This week on the pod I'm welcoming back fan favorite and renowned plastic surgeon and injector, Dr. Lara Devgan, MD, MPH, FACS.
Dr. Devgan's just-right aesthetic has gone viral multiple times on social media, because she knows the perfect amount of "work" to do, to get a natural look that leaves her patients refined, refreshed, and looking that much better.
In this episode we talk:
+ The most common procedures for women 35-40 and beyond
+ Why women are getting facelifts at 40-ish
+ When you should graduate from injectables to surgery
+ The procedures and innovations she’s most excited about
+ How the definition of beauty is changing
+ Her thoughts on Emsculpt and the “Em” family of treatments
+ Are at-home skin care devices worth it?
+ Her must-have skin care products
263: The Best Makeup for 35+, with Makeup Artist Kate Talbert
This week it's all about the best makeup for anyone 35+. I'm talking with makeup artist and social media star, Kate Talbert, all about looking and feeling your best.
Shop all Kate's recommendations that she mentions in the pod HERE!
We talk:
+ Why your normal makeup looks different starting around age 40
+ Her favorite products, from foundation to concealer to eyeshadow and more
+ A technique for an insanely-easy winged eye
...and so much more.
Check out Kate on IG here and her website here.
Follow me on IG here and check out the WGT blog here.
And finally, sign up for exclusive discounts and giveaway on the WGT newsletter! Click here to get on the list.
262: Everything You Need to Know About Your Hormones Before and After 40, with Dr. Carrie Jones
Dr. Carrie Jones, functional medicine doctor and hormone expert, is back on the podcast to talk all about hormones--and you cannot miss this one.
In this episode it's all about how your hormones change from 35 on. And we cover a LOT:
+ The hormone tests to ask for and why saliva and urine tests are better than blood tests
+ Are the dangers of estrogen overblown?
+ The importance of progesterone
+ When is ideal to start hormone replacement therapy
+ Bio-identical vs. prescription HRT
+ The impact of hormones on brain health
+ Ideal hormone levels
+ Are you in perimenopause?
+ Signs your hormones could be off
+ Lifestyle changes to make now to keep hormones in balance
261: All About Routines: The Supplements, Daily Practices and Testing I Do to Monitor Health
This special episode is all about routines: the daily practices; diet and supplement additions; and tests I do with my doctors to keep an eye on health and to feel good. *Not medical advice (duh)*
All links are below!
DIET:
Favorite matcha HERE
Water kettle instant boiler HERE
Hand frother HERE
FORMER EPISODES:
You're Not Crazy, Your Hormones Are, with Dr. Carrie Jones
Hack Your Hormones! How Cycle Syncing™️ Can Change Your Life, with Alisa Vitti
Don't Run from the Sun, with Ra Optics Founder Matt Maruca
TESTING KITS:
Myriad MyRisk Hereditary Cancer Risk Test
FAVORITE SUPPLEMENTS:
Ion Biome gut-sealing and healing probiotic
My favorite multi-vitamin and supplements
An amazing-tasting colostrum drink for gut health
STUDIES:
Green tea/EGCH study linked here.
Benefits of sunlight study linked here.
DISCOUNTS:
For 10% off your first subscription to Armra colostrum, use code DISCOUNT000042086455206281438.
260: My Conversation with a Second Amendment Advocate: Is "Common Sense" Gun Law Even Possible? A Talk with Top Shot Chris Cheng
Get ready for some *real*, real talk this week.
This week on the podcast I'm welcoming champion sharpshooter, former Google worker, and Second Amendment advocate Chris Cheng to the WGT table.
We're digging into an issue that everyone has an opinion on--gun laws in America.
Why do we seem to be getting it so wrong when it comes to keeping Americans safe? Even though Chris and I come at this issue with differing opinions, we find a way to respectfully engage and figure out how really to make laws work *for* us, and what can "common sense gun legislation" could really look like.
***
Sign up for the WGT newsletter HERE, and become part of the family! Giveaways, insider conversations and products I love, all in one spot.
258: Should You Stop the Lasers and Botox? Why Preserving and Encouraging Facial Fat Growth Could Be the Key to Extending a Youthful Look, with Adipeau Founder Ivan Galanin (HEALTHY SKIN SERIES)
***Scroll down discount code for Adipeau!***
In this bonus episode of the Healthy Skin Series, I'm talking with the founder of Adipeau, Ivan Galanin, all about why it's all about "achieving facial fitness."
Trained as a scientist at a major biotech company, Ivan started two biotech companies--one to treat genetic disease, and one to treat cancer--Ivan then transitioned to aesthetics and face care when he realized how integral healthy facial fat is to aging. He's now founded Aeducator, a community to connect facial aesthetic practitioners with new ways of treating their clients.
Adipeau is a brand that encourages the growth of new, healthy fat cells in the dermis, and in this episode we talk about the technology behind the brand as well as why Ivan thinks we have it all wrong when it comes to lasers, over-exfoliating and neuromodulators.
We talk:
+ Why fat is a good thing for your face
+ There is no “super ingredient” for the skin
+ Should you ditch retinol?
+ Why you might want to reconsider lasers
+ The cause of “shiny” Botox skin
+ Can you really build collagen in the skin?
+ Repetitive wounding on the skin and its effects
+ What can you do to keep your fat “fit?”
+ Why he thinks scientific advancements mean we’ll all be living longer soon
For 15% off your order at Adipeau, use code SONNI15 at checkout!
257: Not What I Had in Mind: Crash Landing into Motherhood, Delivering Twins at 22 Weeks, & Finding Strength in Trauma, with Author Laura Diaz Freeland
Ever had something not go to plan? Laura Diaz Freeland has, too.
Laura is the author of the upcoming motherhood origin story, Not What I Had in Mind, as well as a writer and advocate for periviable babies, and she’s here to talk all about the curve balls motherhood (and life) can throw at you.
When she went into labor at just over 22 weeks, Laura’s world changed in an instant.
Welcoming very premature twins wasn’t how she envisioned stepping into motherhood.
Over 200 days in the NICU later--and a rollercoaster of emotions to go with it--Laura walks readers through the world of the premature parent, and how she found strength in her struggle.
We talk:
+ What it was like going into labor at 22 weeks
+ How grief can look
+ How trauma can shape your belief in God
+ “The messy middle”
+ Advice for parents of premature babies
+ The supplements she gave her twins to boost their gut health
...and much more!
256: Break Free from Calorie Counting, Figure Out if Intuitive Eating is for You, and Raising Kids in an Image-Obsessed World, with WeShape Founder Katie Bramlett
**Scroll down for 2 weeks FREE on WeShape!***
This week’s guest is the founder of WeShape, an online fitness community helping people connect with their own best health plans, as well as a fierce advocate of evolving the fitness industry as we know it.
On her the WeShape podcast, she and her cohosts dig into a variety of topics related to physical and mental health, from ignoring toxic social media workout trends, to breaking down the barriers to weight loss, to intuitive eating.
Today we’ll dig into how to break your bad relationship with fitness to end up a healthier, happier you.
We talk:
+ How to know if you’re ready to break up with toxic body image culture
+ Is intuitive eating a good approach for everyone?
+ Freedom from calorie counting
+ Raising kids in a health-conscious world
+ Using gratitude as a tool to jump-start better health
+ When health testing goes too far
+ Breaking free of diet culture while also maintaining healthy eating habits
To try WeShape for two weeks FREE, click this link or visit weshape.com/wegottatalk.
Follow WeShape on Instagram here, and follow me on Instagram here.
Check out the WGT Blog here.
255: Beyond Ozempic: Peptides, Compounded Meds and All the Other Ways People are Losing Weight, with Samantha Blakeney from New Drug Loft and VLS Pharmacy
Ever wonder what your weight loss options are beyond Ozempic?
This week I'm interviewing Samantha Blakeney, with New Drug Loft in Manhattan and Brooklyn, all about the other ways people are losing weight.
We talk:
+ Compounded medications for weight loss
+ Peptides
+ Metformin
+ Stimulants
+ "Ozempic face"
+ How long you can stay on meds for weight loss
+ Side effects
+ Why you should always start your weight loss journey with an endocrinologist
254: All About Ozempic, with Dr. Michelle Cardel, Nutrition Scientist and Sr. Director of Clinical Research, Weight Watchers
In this episode I sit down with nutrition and obesity scientist and the Senior Director of Global Clinical Research at Weight Watchers, Michelle Cardel, PhD, and talk all about semaglutides.
+ How do they work? + Should people without a diabetes or obesity diagnosis use them? + What are the side effects? + What about "peptides" and other compounded medications that some people are using instead? ...and more.
253: Say These Things to Your Kids Right Now to Help Protect Them against Predators, with CONSENTparenting's Rosalia Rivera
Welcome to the official start of Season 4 of We Gotta Talk!
We are kicking things off this season with a conversation all parents need to hear. I’m talking with the founder of CONSENTparenting, Rosalia Rivera, whose work is dedicated to preventing childhood sexual abuse.
On her website and Instagram account @consentparenting, Rosalia breaks down how exactly to talk to kids to help them develop boundaries, understand consent, and learn to trust their instincts. A survivor of sexual abuse herself, Rosalia dedicated herself to healing her own trauma to help others learn about sexual abuse prevention.
Her words are direct and impactful, and she helps parents go from discomfort to confidence when it comes to tackling topics that will help keep their kids safe.
In this episode, we talk:
+ How to talk with kids from age 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and beyond about body safety and predators
+ How to spot grooming
+ What it was like recalling her own abuse trauma and why she decided to come forward with her story
+ Are sleepovers ever safe?
+ How to help a victim come forward with their story
+ What are “exit strategies” and how to teach them to kids
+ How to have “the talk” with kids, and why it’s vital to helping prevent abuse
+ The questions to ask before sending your kid to a sleepover
…and more.
Follow CONSENTparenting on Instagram here, and check out their website, which is full of free resources and education, here.
Follow me on Instagram here, and check out the WGT blog here.
252: Skincare Anarchy's High-Low Top Shelf Products, and Why She's Taking a Break from Retinol, Dr. Ekta Yadav of Skincare Anarchy (HEALTHY SKIN SERIES)
This is THE episode for my fellow skin care junkies!!
Today’s guest is the host of the wildly-popular beauty-focused podcast, Skincare Anarchy; the publisher behind the independent beauty magazine Yūgen; and if that weren’t enough, she’s also an MD and trauma surgeon--her "day job."
Dr. Ekta Yadav’s work has appeared in various dermatology, microbiology, and oncology journals, and she brings her medical knowledge to the beauty space on her podcast, interviewing brand founders, beauty industry leaders about the topics of skin health and skin care.
And today she’s here to share some of that wisdom with us!
We talk:
+ Why it’s not just about ingredients when it comes to skin care
+ The new technologies she’s most excited about
+ The lip plumper she swears by
+ Is retinol on the way out?
+ Her favorite retinol-based product if you want to use it
+ How to figure out your perfect skin care routine
+ Why she chooses physical blocks over chemical screens
+ What she thinks about “skinimalism”
+ Her current favorites cleansers, toners and SPFs, here
+ Her go-to serums (Michael Morrison Genesis serum; Lyma serum; Delavie Sciences serum)
+ Her go-to moisturizers (AveSeena; Care Skincare water cream)
251: News Lady Life, with Heather Abraham
On this episode I talk with Pittsburgh news fave and anchor of Talk Pittsburgh, Heather Abraham. We cover what it's like working in the news business; getting boobs early and periods late; raising daughters (and sons!) in the age of digital media; and more. Standby.. Going live in 3, 2.....
250: The One Where Andrew Almost Gets Arrested: Italy, Part II
In this episode, Andrew joins me as we recap the rest of our Italy trip--the highs and lows of travel with kids; our best travel hacks; our favorite spots in Tuscany and Lake Como; spying on weddings from our hotel room; and how he was almost detained and arrested on the flight home.