Midnight (R)Evolution

On today’s episode with talk with Chuan-Chi Chan.  Chi is a lighting designer, Local 52 lighting programmer, and one of the most unique and interesting people I have ever met.  Whether she is exploring different forms of art, rock climbing with friends, or developing her own podcast, Chi moves through life with determination, authenticity, and insatiable curiosity.  Today we talk to Chi about her journey with her own mental health, including her diagnosis with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder. Content Note: Mental Health, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Bipolar Disorder.

In August's episode we talk with Marina Bluvshteyn.  Marina is a vivacious person wearing many hats in life —including being a dog mom of 2, boy mom of 3, and operations manager in the healthcare sphere. She is passionate about her various identities, including being a Ukrainian New Yorker. In her own words she: “stands by science, facts, equity, and Oxford commas.” She moves through life with a smidge of confidence, a dash of determination, and no shortage of utter hilarity.  In today's episode Marina talks about the importance of nurturing a relationship, and her evolution with learning how to actually do it!

In this special one-on-one episode, Malasa and Katherine take a meandering journey: wrestling with vulnerability,  reflecting on our place in generational cycles, and what it means to evolve within the grander schemes of life.  What starts as a somewhat amorphous idea for a Mother’s Day episode turns into an incredibly honest conversation about our individual and shared past, present, and future. Note that midway through the episode, a name has been bleeped out for privacy.

On episode 20 we get to hear from Lorraine Buhannic.  Lorraine is a talent leader and executive coach.  She works as a Chief People Officer at Orchard and is a leadership coach and consultant for individuals and companies.  Born and raised in Paris before transplanting to New York City, Lorraine is the eldest of five siblings, a passionate home-cook and farmer's market devotee, a fan of crossword puzzles, and a Brooklynite.  In her own life and in her coaching, Lorraine centers the deepening of self-understanding, striving to live the fullest expression of herself.  Today we talk to Lorraine about how her journey led her to choosing single motherhood.

On today's episode we talk to Neha Thatte.  Neha is a director of innovation in the sustainable consumer products space, and a mom to a precocious and delightful two-year-old boy.  When she's not mommy-ing or working, you might find her 'dressed to the nines' and sharing drinks in a nice bar with her husband.  Today we talk to Neha about unlearning harmful narratives to find freedom and self-worth.

We are back!  On today's episode we talk about why we took a long break.  Katherine opens up about her recent experiences with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks - and outlines her ongoing journey back to her Self.  We discuss different methods of recovery and healing such as acupuncture, Internal Family Systems therapy, and the importance of stillness and rest.

On today's episode, we talk to Min Um-Mandhyan.  Min is a working mom to an active ten-year-old boy and a wife to a person she calls: "the most optimistic person on the planet."   In addition to her professional career, she is serious about her running, racking up 800 miles last year during the pandemic.  Min currently works at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine as the senior director of alumni relations and development.  Prior to her work in higher education, she worked in the sexual assault/domestic violence field in New York City.  Though Min often has a calm demeanor, she brings a relentless passion to her life and work and is focused on creating equity by uplifting those who are less heard.  Today we talk to Min about the myth of "imposter's syndrome."

On today’s episode we talk to Elly Correia.  Elly is a former personal trainer with deep interests in body image, wellness culture, and movement; she is a senior customer success manager at a start-up, a wife, and a dog-mom to two German Shepherds.  Like most of us, Elly has had challenges and realizations over a lifetime-journey towards personal growth and self-love; and she generously shares her story in the hopes of normalizing and connecting with others.  We talk with Elly about how perfectionism has manifested in her life, and how she has reconnected with her intuition to combat it. Content Note: Discussions around disordered eating.

On today’s episode, we talk to Malasa’s sister: Mallika Jois.  Mallika is an amazing Advanced Practice Nurse specializing in Palliative Care and Hospice.  Before she entered this field, Mallika had many years of experience as an intensive care and trauma nurse.  Nursing can be a grueling field, and one thing that helped her persevere was developing her yoga practice; she is now also a certified yoga teacher. Mallika’s thoughtful and sincere approach allows her to connect with and care for others; she now uses this gift to treat her patients as they deal with terminal diagnoses and transition from the physical world. We talk to Mallika today about how she understands, and even embraces, concepts around death and dying.

Valérie Thérèse Bart is a proud, self-proclaimed "Franco-VietnAmericaine."  Born in France to Vietnamese refugee parents, she and her family eventually made their way to the US.  Valérie draws on her multi-faceted origins to enrich the storytelling through her work as a costume and sometimes scenic designer for theatre, opera, film, and television.  Valérie is also a wife, mother of two young children, and an activist in her many circles.  In this episode, Valerie explores how her origin story has shaped who she is today. *Episode Note: a medical term was misidentified.  The correct terminology is Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.