This final episode of the All The Wiser Podcast is filled with laughter, tears, and deep appreciation for what the podcast has brought into our lives. You will hear voicemails from our listeners and past guests, discussing the impact and changes this show has brought about in their lives. We're still getting goosebumps! Kimi, Tara, and Erica share …

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…

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…

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 heartbreakin…

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 conversat…

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 pr…

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 ch…

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 post…

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 syste…

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 ou…

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 impor…

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 prie…

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 …

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…

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.The…

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 …

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 profe…

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 e…

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 broug…

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 …

Today, we are reairing Kimi's conversation with Alex Lewis. Alex is a quadruple amputee and one of the most hopeful and inspiring guests we've had on the show. When his episode aired, we had a huge reaction from the audience. People wrote to us talking about how hopeful and uplifted they felt. Considering the heaviness of all that is happening in t…

On today's episode of A Little Wiser is special guest and filmmaker Patty Dillon. Patty's documentary There Will Be No Stay featured last week's guest, Allen Ault. Patty shares with Kimi her deeply personal and thought provoking experience inside the world of capital punishment. They talk about Patty’s extensive research journey, conducting cold ca…

What is it like to witness the darkest corners of our justice system? Dr. Allen Ault is a former warden and commissioner of corrections. He recounts his experience with the death penalty and the lasting emotional impact on those involved in the process. He also gets deeply personal about his own struggle with feelings of guilt as a result of “murde…

Kimi and Tara reflect on last week's episode featuring Kara Robinson Chamberlain, who was held captive for 18 hours at the age of 15 and managed to escape. They discuss Kara's remarkable ability to regulate her kidnappers' emotions and gather information, all while enduring a highly traumatic situation. In the aftermath of the trauma, Kara spent de…

At 15, Kara Robinson Chamberlain was kidnapped. While her remarkable bravery and quick thinking allowed her to escape, the coping mechanisms she employed to survive impeded her ability to heal from the ordeal. In this harrowing episode, Kara dives into the importance of authentic emotions in healing, and the dangers of toxic positivity culture. She…

Kimi and Erica explore the incredible resilience of Alice Johnson, an advocate for criminal justice reform. They talk about the significant and devastating realities of "invisible populations" such as incarcerated people. Kim Kardashian's star power made Alice Johnson "visible" and illuminated her path to justice, ultimately resulting in her freedo…

Alice Johnson has a knack for finding hope in hard circumstances. Even though a terrible mistake cost her everything she knew and loved, Alice still found a way to help and inspire others. From fighting for education and against discrimination, to finding solace in writing poetry, Alice shares how she became a force for change and an advocate for t…

Kimi and Erica discuss last week's episode with Haley Holm, a veteran air force pilot and transgender woman who bravely shared her story for the first time on All The Wiser. Erica reflects on the pain of hiding one's true self and the accompanying feelings of guilt and shame. Kimi shares some behind-the-scenes moments from the day she and Haley met…

Haley Holm is a veteran air force pilot. She completed 22 combat missions in Afghanistan. But during this time, Haley was known as Jim. Jim was described by friends as a very masculine man from a military family. But Jim had a secret. He longed to be female. How does a person find the courage to explore a new identity in one of the most male domina…

"A Little Wiser" takes you behind-the-scenes of each All The Wiser interview and explains how you can apply the lessons from the guests to your own life. In our first mini-episode of the new season, Kimi and Erica discuss sibling abuse and how common and misunderstood it is. They also explore the public fascination with true crime and how it can be…

Amy Chesler always knew her brother Jesse struggled with anger. He never developed the tools to manage his emotions. But then he started taking his frustrations out on her in harmful and abusive ways. The power and control he exerted over Amy was just the beginning. In this chilling and powerful episode, Amy shares the story of the day her brother …

Hello Wise Ones! I hope you had a wonderful summer. Our team traveled, we relaxed, we went off the grid and we made time to work really hard on Season 6! We’re ready to bring you more jaw dropping, life changing stories: with all the depth, courage, and vulnerability you’ve come to know and rely on. Starting next Wednesday, September 6th, and every…

We will be taking a short break to enjoy the final days of summer. In our last episode of the season, Kimi and Tara discuss last week’s interview with Fernando Murillo and share some of their favorite lessons from Season 5. Tara chooses “How to Live Well So You Can Die Well", with death doula Diane Button, and her advice that the key to dying well …

At the age of 16, Fernando Murillo was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. After serving 20 years, he was transferred to California Medical Facility (CMF), a prison that focuses on caring for the elderly and terminally ill, among others. It was there that he first stepped foot into CMF’s hospice unit, the first of its kind in a prison setti…

Today, we talk about the message actress, wife and mother Marnie shared with us before dying from cancer last year. Her advice: Listen to your body. Trust your instincts when it comes to anything that feels off about your health. Kimi discusses why people often avoid going to the doctor, including fear of what they may discover. Tara shares her sto…

Today we are checking in with one of our favorite past guests, actor Zack Robidas. It's been a year since his beautiful wife Marni passed away from breast cancer. Zack and Marni were on this show together during the pandemic talking about her diagnosis and the challenges they faced head-on during treatment. So on the anniversary of her death, we wa…

It's 2023 and it’s Pride Month! Today as a country we are divided, we are fractured and we are broken. We believe that many of us are looking and yearning for hope and possibility for our country‘s future. It seemed like the perfect time to go back and share one of our favorite stories on the show. *Rebroadcast* (originally aired 9/2/20) It took th…

In this special Father’s Day episode, Kimi is in conversation with her dad about their relationship, his brilliant mind, his big heart and what he has learned about success on the outside and on the inside. They share with each other the complexities and gifts of generational mental illness and what it means to be fully seen, supported and loved ex…

What is your relationship with goal setting? Kimi is joined by Erica and Tara to discuss the previous episode with Rebecca Berger, share their own thoughts about goal setting, and what has worked (or not worked) for them. They discuss the foundation of what that relationship begins with, the similarities they have with each other, and how self awar…

Rebecca Berger survived a childhood of chaos and abuse before becoming pregnant at the age of 14. Many adults looked at her with pity and shame. Though the physical and emotional abuse from men continued in Rebecca’s life, she kept putting one foot in front of the other, chasing a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. She finished her education and…

Hi Wise Ones, Do you ever feel like you're in a “podcast drought”? Every once in a while I find myself starring staring at my Podcast Library, wondering what to listen to next? It's a daunting question with over 3 million options. So I asked Lauren Passell, the queen of podcast publicity, and my friend and producer Erica Gerard to share their curre…

Hi Wise Ones! This week, I’m excited to bring you an episode from a podcast I love from Lemonada Media called Last Day. Last Day is a show about the moments that change us, fundamentally and forever. Each week, host Stephanie Wittels Wachs sits down with a new guest to explore happy and sad stories of survival, resilience and transformation. Some “…

Dr. Laura Erickson Scroth, psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer of The Jed Foundation, joins Kimi to discuss the mental health crisis facing America's teens and young adults. Increasing isolation, social media, climate change, social unrest, and an onslaught of online information flooding their brains are wreaking havoc on young adults. By listen…

Dajon was a true mama’s boy. His mother Michelle, a devoted single mom, adored him. When Dajon was 15 he started showing signs of mental illness. By the age of 18, his personality was disintegrating. He started hearing voices and even tried to jump off of an 11th floor building. After an official diagnosis of schizophrenia, Michelle did everything …

Erica and Kimi are joined by Dan Shaw, a psychoanalyst who specializes in counseling former members of cultic groups and friends and family of members who are involved in cults. Cult leaders are characterized by charisma, narcissism, and gaping childhood wounds, according to Dan. He explains how they manipulate highly educated and well-intentioned …

Do you think you could never be indoctrinated into a cult? Sarah Edmondson wants you to think again. Sarah spent 12 years in the NXIVM cult, where otherwise bright, well-meaning women were being coerced, abused and turned into sex slaves by the now convicted felon, Keith Raniere. In this episode, Sarah shares how her own intuition was slowly disman…

We are excited to share with you that ALL THE WISER Membership Community is officially here! This podcast is inspired by you, and this membership was created just for you. We've got Zooms with me and the team, exclusive content, live recordings, early ad-free episodes, producer credit, your name on the All The Wiser website and much more! We can’t …

Survival looks different for everyone. For Michelle Hord, it was about finding ways to honor her daughter Gabrielle’s life, which was taken at only 7 years old by her then husband, in an unthinkable act of violence that no one could have imagined. But her lessons on grief are not just for those who have experienced tragedy. In this episode, Michell…

All The Wiser is officially launching a membership community on Wednesday, April 12th! You, our beloved listeners, are the inspiration and driving force behind this membership. Membership options include everything from Zooms with Kimi and the Team, Early and Ad-Free Episodes, Dropping in Live on A Little Wiser recordings, your name on our website …

Have you ever thought about the ways you numb out of your own life? Kimi and Erica discuss our previous episode about Ambien addiction with Laura Cathcart Robbins, share their own addictive behaviors, and consider the root causes of unhealthy coping mechanisms. They discuss the most important first step in changing these habits. Your challenge: Sta…