Mental Health | And Then Suddenly

72: Kate White on seriously listening to her body

March 15, 2022 by angelansantillo

In 2016, Kate White was having a lot of pain but at the time she didn’t think it was a lot. What happened a few months later made her realize she needed to take her pain seriously and that’s when everything shifted. In the presence of her purring cat Penny, we talk about women’s health, women’s bodies, and how a series of diagnoses finally allowed Kate to understand herself. Connect with Kate on Instagram

Categories: Illness, Medical Event, Mental Health, Parenthood, Trauma, Women's Issues

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69: Brandon Saiz on getting validation

February 1, 2022 by angelansantillo

On episode 36, Brandon Saiz shared a moment about achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He’s back to share a new moment that has altered his outlook and how he views his time in the Coast Guard: a recent diagnosis of ADHD. We talk about changing perspectives, new understandings, and finally getting validation. Additional resourcesBrandon’s previous episode on becoming Chief Petty OfficerConnect with Brandon on Instagram or Twitter

Categories: Career, Family, Mental Health, Military Veteran, The Mind, Veteran Issues

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62: Welcome to Season Three, let’s chat shall we?

November 9, 2021 by angelansantillo

Welcome to Season Three! It’s been a while since I’ve released an episode and there’s a reason for that. So let’s catch up and kick off the season with where I’ve been. It’s a story about mental health, long recoveries, and a bit about my audio destroying cat. Additional Resources Episode 1: Angela Santillo on changing stories and making a podcastEpisode 33: Kate Wallinga on being one in four million Want to be a guest? Submit your info. Follow And […]

Categories: Medical Event, Mental Health, Podcasting, The Mind, Trauma

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53: Jack Ridl on the most important word in the world

February 4, 2020 by angelansantillo

Jack Ridl was walking with his 7-year-old daughter when she said “with” was the most important word because people always have to be with something, someone, or themselves. When she added that it meant everyone has to makes sure they have a good “with,” Jack’s perception of the world changed. We talk about how a simple and profound concept has since shaped his life, health, and poetry. Additional Resources Jack Ridl ridl.wordpress.com on Facebook Saint Peter and the Goldfinch by Jack […]

Categories: Family, Mental Health, Most Listened To, Parenthood, The Unknown, Writing

50: Neema Tembele of Tanzania on her unexpected wake up call

December 17, 2019 by angelansantillo

Neema Tembele was bartending when she had her first panic attack. The painful physical sensations went away once she got to the hospital but the event set her on a new path. Now the Co-Founder and Data Analytics Director TEWWY, we talk about the challenges and unexpected benefits of her moment and how she is now on a mission to increase mental health understanding and access in her homeland of Tanzania. Additional Resources Thrive Global, “One Size Does […]

Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Family, Mental Health

47: Anna Xwexx Morena on asylum and being a Ugandan transgender activist

November 20, 2019 by angelansantillo

This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) About four years ago, Anna Xwexx Morena sought asylum in Denmark for her safety and the chance to freely express herself. But the experience was not what she expected and feeling unsafe and used as a transgender woman, she returned to Uganda. We talk about her mission to help other Ugandan transgender women with their mental health needs, her experience as a grassroots activist, and her vision for the […]

Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Grief & Loss, LGBTQIA, Mental Health, Politics

42: Mike Wanjeng’u of Kenya on the words of his father

October 9, 2019 by angelansantillo

This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) Years into his addiction, Mike Wanjeng’u was having an argument with his parents when his father said something that cut him to the core. Months later, he went rehab and is now three years sober. We talk about his journey to recovery, how it led him help and advocate for those with mental health issues through Tinada Youth Organization, and the importance of love and World Mental Health Day. […]

Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Family, Mental Health

36: Brandon Saiz on becoming Chief Petty Officer

August 28, 2019 by angelansantillo

After sixteen years in the Coast Guard, on October 1, 2013 Brandon Saiz achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Hating the tradition of initiation, he decided not to go through the voluntary indoctrination process and was ostracized by other chiefs. We talk about the military’s history of hazing, the social and mental health implications of going against the system, and how twenty years in the service impacts his life as a civilian. Trigger warning: This episode includes a candid conversation […]

Categories: Mental Health, Military Veteran, Most Listened To, Podcasting, Trauma

11: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science

November 12, 2018 by angelansantillo

Veteran Stephan Wolfert was working with the famous choreographer Twyla Tharp when she said something that clarified everything. We talk about his time in the Army, how he became an actor, his work with veterans through DE-CRUIT, and the scientific proof that Shakespeare and theater are the keys to healing trauma. Part Two of my special Brain Double Header. Listen to Part One: Bill Monroe on getting better (and not getting best) Additional Resources DE-CRUIT DE-CRUIT: science publications Cry Havoc, solo performance […]

Categories: Mental Health, Military Veteran, Most Listened To, Science, The Arts, The Mind, Trauma, Veteran Issues

10: Bill Monroe on getting better (and not getting best)

November 6, 2018 by angelansantillo

READ THE TRANSCRIPT FOR EPISODE 10 Bill Monroe (Strokecast podcast) is a Generation X stroke survivor. He talks about what on June 4, 2017, his ongoing recovery, and how he has become a marketing guy who knows way too much about neurology and neuroplasticity. Part One of my special Brain Double Header. Listen to Part Two: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science Additional Resources Bill Monroe: Strokecast Strokecast Episode 28: The Slow Road to Better Ted Talk: Jill Bolte Taylor, […]

Categories: Career, Disability Rights, Illness, Medical Event, Mental Health, Podcasting, Science, The Mind, Trauma

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07: Megan Bryan on being a mom who puts out many fires

October 16, 2018 by angelansantillo

Megan Bryan was loving the firefighter life when she decided to be a single mother by choice. She found a sperm donor and after numerous rounds of fertility treatments, her daughter was born and she suddenly had to confront the worst biases about herself and our society. We talk about parenthood, racism, sexism, and her partner and their growing family. Additional Resources San Francisco Chronicle: “Black firefighter on inspection duty in Oakland hills gets videotaped, reported to police”

Categories: Activism, Career, Family, LGBTQIA, Mental Health, Parenthood, Race, Trauma, Women's Issues

06: Debórah Eliezer Adabachi on the movement that shifted everything

October 9, 2018 by angelansantillo

During her divorce, Debórah Eliezer Adabachi (theater artist, voiceover professional, Co-Artistic Director foolsFURY Theater, owner of Venado Retreat) did a theater workshop with Stephen Wangh. One physical exercise led to a breakthrough that changed everything. We talk about somatics, losing your voice, moving on, and learning how to finally say no. Additional Resources Dr. Martha Eddy: Five College Dance Department Lecture (Hampshire College) Dr. Martha Eddy: A brief history of somatic practices and dance (Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices) Stephen Wangh: Acrobat […]

Categories: Family, Love, Mental Health, The Arts, Women's Issues

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03: Dr. Justyna Zapolska on discovering the unconscious mind

September 18, 2018 by angelansantillo

What if something big happens and you don’t realize it but your unconscious mind does? Dr. Justyna Zapolska talks about the lecture that unexpectedly changed her career, psychoanalysis, and what happens when we tell untrue stories about ourselves. Additional Resources Dr. Zapolska’s Psychology Today profile American Psychoanalytic Associate: What is psychoanalysis?

Categories: Career, Mental Health, The Mind • Tags: Episode

And Then Suddenly

The show about the sudden moments that turn our lives upside down

Category Archives: Mental Health

72: Kate White on seriously listening to her body

69: Brandon Saiz on getting validation

62: Welcome to Season Three, let’s chat shall we?

53: Jack Ridl on the most important word in the world

50: Neema Tembele of Tanzania on her unexpected wake up call

47: Anna Xwexx Morena on asylum and being a Ugandan transgender activist

42: Mike Wanjeng’u of Kenya on the words of his father

36: Brandon Saiz on becoming Chief Petty Officer

11: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science

10: Bill Monroe on getting better (and not getting best)

07: Megan Bryan on being a mom who puts out many fires

06: Debórah Eliezer Adabachi on the movement that shifted everything

03: Dr. Justyna Zapolska on discovering the unconscious mind