Funny personal stories, dark confessions and empathetic interviews with weird, wonderful and often hilarious guests. Entertainer, storyteller, artist and podcast host/producer, Esperanza Phoenix brings to life unusual experiences, struggles with mental and physical illnesses and how humor, therapy and entheogenic plants help some of us to survive. Humans possess the amazing ability to shift their perspective and develop better coping mechanisms by learning from the stories of others. We are ...
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S3 Ep35: Celebration Pride Month 2023 with Transgender Musician & Game Producer; Lennon Lange
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43 year old musician and video game producer, Lange, joins Ms. Phoenix to share some Pride Month perspective as a transgender mother of 4 children between the ages of 11 and 24. She's faced many challenges in her life, from living on the streets at 16 and struggling with schizophrenia to coming out as transgender just 5 years ago. Lennon has a lot …
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S3 Ep34: Celebrating one’s not normalcy: ADHD in women
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In part 2 of her exploration into how ADHD affects women, Esperanza explains what the diagnosis process is like, how brains with this condition react in a counterintuitive way to stimulants, the surprising benefits she's experiencing on the medication, and some tools to help integrate into the normie lifestyle. Still so much left to unpack in this …
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Esperanza shares the knowledge she's gained by growing up with and seeking treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as an adult. Many girls with ADHD go undiagnosed and untreated, in part, because the symptoms are less obvious or disruptive to others. In her desire to uncover all she could about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorde…
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Expanding sales of my artwork, sculpting with flexible polymer clay, my ADHD, reproductive rights, ADHD, geriatric pregnancy, what happened with that whole Facebook thing, did I mention ADHD? spring has sprung in Oregon, foraging for mushrooms... we'll unpack all of this, while doing my best to stay on track.…
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S3 Ep31: What I LOVE about Facebook & why it totally effing SUCKS!
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In this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, Esperanza shares some of her favorite things about the Facebook platform, how it may have saved her life and also why Meta is a horrible company that totally f*cking sucks. If she loves the platform, why does she think it sucks? This is a complicated love-hate relationship. Let's unpack it.…
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S3 Ep30: Moving from California to Oregon; a comedy errors
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In episode 30 of Unpacking Life’s Crazy Esperanza shares the details of the big move from the East Bay of California to Beaverton Oregon. Any move can be a nightmarish moving experience, but when you also have to cope with pain due a disability and the WORST moving company EVER, it becomes straight up torture. Spoiler, we don’t recommend moving aro…
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S3 Ep29: Behind the curtain with Eric Newton, MC of The Empire Strips Back burlesque comedy
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In Episode 29 of Unpacking Life's Crazy, Esperanza interviews Eric Newton, writer/comedian and MC of The Empire Strips Back. Are you a Star Wars nerd, Harry Potter fan or theatre geek? If so, this episode is absolutely for you. Eric offers listeners a peek behind the curtain of this Star Wars themed burlesque parody. Enjoy humorous backstage detail…
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In Episode 28 of Unpacking Life's Crazy, a crazy December brought big changes for the podcast. It's January 2023 and implementation of Oregon's Measure 109 has begun. Esperanza explains the basic rules of the measure and why the state's new laws on magic mushrooms are suddenly especially exciting for her. Enjoy this last episode of the podcast for …
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S3 Ep27: MPox aka Monkeypox is no laughing matter, but we're still laughing
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The topic of this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy is rather unexpected. Esperanza offers a frank, and at times humorous, discussion with a dear friend who is recovering from Monkeypox (now known as MPox) in the Los Angeles area. "Flash" shares the graphic (and a bit gross) details of his experience with this virus and his concerns for how this ou…
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S3 Ep26: I believe in magic. . . mushrooms
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Does psychedelic therapy hold the key to treating PTSD, addiction, anxiety and more? In this all hallows eve episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, Esperanza shares her experience with micro-dosing magic mushrooms and how using psilocybin has greatly improved her life. Esperanza offers some advice for those interested in pursuing psychedelic therapy fo…
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In this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, Esperanza Phoenix, recently recovered from COVID fatigue, interviews comedian Johnny Corn on the anniversary of his death/resurrection to discuss his come back to comedy, film and the bubble biz. We say this podcast is all about using humor to survive life, it also helps some to survive death. We aren't jo…
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S3 Ep24: My Transgender Daughter Kiera Returns for Another Interview
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My amazing transgender daughter Kiera volunteered to come back on for what has become our annual Pride Month podcast interview. Kiera updates listeners on the big changes in her life since last year and what's going on with her partner Kaynah as well. We get in depth about the differences between gender and sexuality, what it means to be pansexual …
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S2 Ep23: EMDR Therapy - Why I'm Trying It & How It Works
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In this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy Esperanza explains EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy, why she decided to try EMDR for her PTSD & childhood trauma and her experience with this unique therapy technique so far. She also fills in regular listeners as to what she's been up to for the past few months and her efforts to c…
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S2 Ep22: My Transgender Daughter & Her Girlfriend Join for Pride Month
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For the very first episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, Esperanza interviewed her transgender daughter Kiera to celebrate Pride Month. Kiera is back, again for this years second Pride Month episode. This time her girlfriend Kaynah joins in on the mother daughter conversation. Learn how things have changed for Kiera over the past year and how having a…
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S2 Ep21: Child Came Out as Transgender? DON'T PANIC! Listen
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Unpacking Life's Crazy celebrates pride month with words of wisdom for parents of transgender youth. Esperanza updates her listeners on her daughter Kiera's transition progress since their interview nearly a year ago. To hear Kiera discuss her experience coming out to her mother, listen to Unpacking Life's Crazy, Episode #1 This video offers sugges…
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S2 Ep20: Interview with Duante the 'SuitMan' Barnett
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In this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, Esperanza interviews Seattle based comedian and producer Duante 'SuitMan' Barnett. Duante explains the frustration of how existing as a 6 foot tall black man with Autism puts him at daily risk of dangerous interactions with law enforcement. Duante shares the inclusive motives behind the shows he produces a…
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S2 Ep19: Motherly Advice About Toxic Moms
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There are many loving, supportive and wonderful mothers out there and I'm trying my hardest to be one. Unfortunately, some of us weren't lucky enough to get that kind of mom. If your relationship with your own mother is complicated or non-existent, you are not alone. Mother's Day reminds some of us of unfulfilled childhood needs, perceived inadequa…
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S2 Ep18: Conversation with Disabled Comedian Benny Shakes of Nottingham
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Support this podcast https://www.buymeacoffee.com/EspPhoenix For this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy I had a lovely visit with British funny man Benny Shakes all the way over in the UK. Benny Shakes is a wonderfully entertaining comedian who's managed to launch some funny YouTube shows, with the help of fellow comedians, in the midst of a world …
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S2 Ep17: Insomnia, The Waking Nightmare
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Sleep, so effortless for some, that they can literally fall asleep in the middle of a conversation. I am not that person. In this episode I delve into my lifelong battle with INSOMNIA and the crazy number of sleep hacks and supplements I've learned over the years just to get some Zzzz's. I'll share my recent nightmarish sleep study and how you can …
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S2 Ep16: What Invisible Illness Looks Like
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In Episode 17 of Unpacking Life's Crazy Esperanza shares what invisible illness looks like for her and it's not pretty. It's not easy letting the world see you at your worst, which is why these illnesses and diseases often stay invisible. In this episode Ms. Phoenix opens up about what a bad fibromyalgia day is like for her. She discusses the strug…
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S2 Ep15: A Woman of Many Hats; Esperanza shares nearly all of the dozens of careers she’s tried
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In this episode I share my unusual journey through the workforce, which began at age 5 or 6 and includes truly unusual jobs like nude model, cake decorator and bubbleologist. The list is so long, I actually missed a few. Join me while I unpack this. To see the actual hats check out this episode on YouTube. https://youtu.be/TAW2y9WsQWs…
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This is the very first episode of the podcast that will also be available to watch on my YouTube channel. In this episode I share my crazy mushroom making obsession, what I gave up instead of booze this month, how gnomes helped me to survive my childhood trauma, thoughts on the capital insurrection and how grateful I am that we once again have a pr…
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In this eclectic episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, I'll catch you up on the mushroom making that's been keeping me from the pod. I'll also share the extreme measures we're taking to prevent Covid-19 in our house, my latest health mystery, my most recent emotional breakthrough in healing from trauma and what you can learn from it. There's also a co…
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S1 Ep12: Happy Halloween, Here's Johnny... Nearly Ghostly, still UNDEAD
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Great interview with comedian and actor Johnny Corn about his harrowing, near death, experience. We offer suggestions of the TV series' to binge watch while awaiting the election results. Just for fun we're asking listeners their opinion, which final episode was worse; Lost or Game of Thrones.By Esperanza Phoenix
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S1 Ep11: The Art of Being YAY! with Aidan Park
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Aiden Park and I discuss his book the Art of Being YAY! hi difficult emotional journey from being an undocumented child immigrant from Korea, to craig list prostitute to children's entertainer to losing his husband and how he built the tools to find his happiness despite it all. And how you can too. https://www.aidanpark.com/…
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S1 Ep10: Great News & Good Times with Eli Beeeeee
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Tune out the depressing pandemic and political stuff for an hour for a crazy, funny and slightly intoxicated conversation with us instead. My friend Eli shares his 'good news despite COVID' story. We laugh way too much about random weird stuff and Eli shares one of his wonderful original songs. We hope you will join us as we share some much needed …
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S1 Ep9: My Other "job" Episode Teasers & Health Hacks
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This is a mini episode. Why? Because I've been too busy this week with my other "job." But I'll tell you all about that, let you know who the awesome guests are for our next couple episodes and throw in three simple health hacks to make life sweeter.By Esperanza Phoenix
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Great interview with Tom Bomb who produces and MCs a psychedelic comedy show in Las Vegas Nevada. We discuss the concept of performing comedy on shrooms and other psychedelics. Tom tells us about taking this trippy brand of standup on the road and how you can experience a performance near you.By Esperanza Phoenix
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S1 Ep7: Why Black Lives Matter & Covid Sucks with Johnny Corn
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A frank discussion with actor, comedian and bubble guy Johnny Corn about the struggle for performers to get through the emotional and financial woes of covid19. Why black lives matter so much to him and why they should matter to all of us. We discuss Johnny's upcoming comedy showcase with Nicole Tran, Reggie Shorter and host Juicy D Light and how y…
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S1 Ep6: Standup Comedy & COVID, No Joke with Jenifer Louise Garcia
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A frank discussion with comedian Jenifer Louise Garcia about how she's weathering this pandemic, how standup comedy became her outlet for coping with PTSD and how open air, open mic standup comedy is keeping the laughter alive in the Bay Area.By Esperanza Phoenix
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In this episode of Unpacking Life's Crazy, I talk about how I accidentally stumbled onto the miracle of fasting, before it was popular. We get into the science of fasting and dispel some myths about fat, carbs and the backward guidelines in our food pyramid. We'll look at who started the big fat lie in the first place and offer suggestions for newb…
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This pod is all about crazy journeys and the strangers who helped my get there.By Esperanza Phoenix
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S1 Ep3: Into the Weeds about SHROOMS
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In this episode my experience using psychedelics in the treatment of anxiety and CPTSD.By Esperanza Phoenix
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Years of suffering and ineffective medical treatment led Ms. Phoenix to seek a prescription for a plant which is federally illegal. For those who may still fear marijuana thanks to the anti-drug commercials of the 80s, understanding it’s history and miraculous properties may just change your mind. Esperanza explains how a plant, once widely used in…
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S1 Ep1: Mom's Pride an Interview with my Trans Daughter
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A mother interviews her transgender daughter as a celebration of Pride Month.By Esperanza Phoenix
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