Solace and the City

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Brianna Pecora Cross! Brianna decided to share her sobriety journey with the world through her platform No Fun Without It. We discuss the reasons by Brianna's decision to cut out alcohol and how her life has changed since becoming sober. Brianna also highlights the ways in which the stigma surrounding alcoholism prevents women from seeking help and advice she would give to individuals re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. Brianna hosts get-togethers for women in New York City and works as a school counselor in Hoboken. You can learn more about Brianna on TikTok and Instagram via her profile @morefunwithoutit.

We're back for a new season! This week I got to sit down with Neva Coleman, a woman who has been sharing her experience with sobriety on TikTok and Instagram. Neva quit drinking over a year ago and came on Solace and the City to talk about her days in active addiction and what she's learned through the recovery process. Neva and I talk about advice we would give to anyone who is considering cutting out alcohol from their life and lessons we'e taken from sobriety. Lastly, Neva talks about what it means to be a "sober party girl" and how she is looking to start a revolution of like-minded women in NYC. I am so happy that I connected with Neva, who not only is a fellow sober girlie but also is from my hometown of Rumson, New Jersey!

This week I am so excited to welcome back three-time guest and friend of the show, Hope Woodard! When I first had Hope on Solace and the City, we talked about her experience navigating her relationship with substance use as I began my own journey being alcohol-free. When we next chatted, Hope was about to embark on a year without dating, relationships, hookups, and any other type of involvement with men and the male gaze. Since then, Hope's boy sobriety has been covered by The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and many other outlets who were fascinated with, what seemed to be, modern day celibacy. But in this episode, Hope breaks down what being Boy Sober truly means: a decision to choose yourself. I feel so honored to have guest as my last guest before my move from New York City back to Austin, Texas, where Solace and the City will take a hiatus. To keep up with Hope, you can follow @justhopinalong on Instagram and TikTok. Be sure to also look out for BoySober storytelling shows coming to a city near you in the future!

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Luke Timm and John Timm, two cousins who have a shared passion for mental health and the New York nightlife. I connected with John back in 2022 after he came across an episode I did on the Mental Matchup podcast. He had just started a mental health non-profit, No Man Sits Alone, and we chatted about ways we could collaborate. Fast forward two years, and I see that his cousin has gone viral on social media for being the "hot bouncer" of New York City. In this episode, Luke and John share their respective stories dealing with mental health and addiction challenges. They then discuss how they prioritize their wellness while working for two NYC bars, 82 Stanton and 310 Bowery. Luke is also sober, so he talks about what it's like working at a bar while not drinking alcohol. I had such a pleasure recording with these two cousins. Make sure to follow @luketimm and @johntimmjr on Instagram to stay updated with events they host at their two venues!

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with childhood friend and mental health advocate, Josh Murphy. Josh and I grew up together, and over the years we have bonded about the importance of therapy. In this episode, Josh talks about how his therapist has helped him navigate some of the toughest challenges in his life, from being a college athlete to navigating the public eye. We also talk about the crucial role that friendships have played in Josh's life. I have always been in awe of the friendships that Josh has, and I'm so happy I had the chance to sit down and learn more about how he has cultivated such strong relationships.

After a seven-week hiatus, I am back to post the remaining episodes of this season! This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Brandon (Bills) Jenkins and Sebastian Stant of the lifestyle brand Sadderday. The duo connected back in 2013 over Twitter. In the past eleven years, they have created a company that works to reduce the stigma around feeling sad. Their t-shirts, hoodies, and hats create conversation and encourage vulnerability. To learn more about Bills, Sebastian, and Sadderday, you can follow @sadderday on Instagram, visit www.sadderday.com, or visit their showroom on 623 Lorimer St in Brooklyn, New York.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with two friends and aspiring clinicians, Betsey Goldwasser and Dan Fabi. I met Dan through a former guest, Ari Borinsky, because we both changed careers and decided to become therapists. Betsey is a friend and fellow graduate from the Columbia School of Social Work. Some of my first conversations with both Dan and Betsey were about their love for Experience Camps, an award-winning national nonprofit that transforms the lives of grieving children through summer camp programs and innovative, year-round initiatives. Through compassion, connection, and play, we allow grieving children to embody a life full of hope and possibility. By amplifying their voices, Experience Camps is creating a more grief-sensitive culture. In this episode, Dan and Betsey talk about what led them to pursue careers as therapists and how their time volunteering at Experience Camps influenced their decision to work in the helping profession. I had so much fun recording this episode with Betsey and Dan and am EXTREMELY excited to be volunteering at Experience Camps this summer! Be sure to check out experiencecamps.org to learn more about this wonderful organization.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Arshay Cooper, a rower, author, motivational speaker, and volunteer for numerous community outreach organizations. I was connected to Arshay through my wonderful friend Stella Stephanopoulos. Through Stella, I learned about Arhsay's work in the rowing community as well as his memoir. A Most Beautiful Thing is moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-Black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives. I had so much fun talking to Arshay about his memoir, the documentary based on this incredible true story, and the advocacy work that he is still involved in today. Be sure to follow Arshay on Instagram @arshaycooper to keep up with all of the amazing things he continues to spearhead.

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Eli Rallo, an ex-theater kid turned multi-dimensional creator, writer, media personality, journalist, and podcast host. She recently released her debut book I Didn't Know I Needed This: The New Rules for Flirting, Feeling, and Finding Yourself. Eli and I are actually from the same town, but it took 25 years for us to finally cross paths. In this episode, Eli talks about her journey towards becoming the incredible writer that she is today and a NYC-based content creator loved by so many. We talk about Eli's new book and the future creations she has in store. To follow along Eli's journey, be sure to add her on Instagram @eli.rallo and buy her book wherever books are sold!

This week I am so excited to share my  conversation with Daniela Cell and Martin Crozier from Barry’s and Solidcore, respectively! The word that comes to mind when I reflect on this podcast episode is kismet. I had originally planned to record with another creator, and when he cancelled last minute, I racked my brain for people in my life who I could record with. After taking a class with Martin the previous Friday, I decided to reach out and see if he would be interested in talking about the mental health benefits of group fitness. He graciously agreed, and then I realized how important it would be to share a female perspective on this same matter. I called up Barry’s in Brooklyn Heights and asked if any of their female instructors would be open to coming on Solace and the City last minute. (We’re talking 15 minutes before “lights, camera, action”). Like a true champ, Daniela took time between her two back to back classes to come to the studio, and the rest is history! This spontaneous conversation does not disappoint! Daniela and Martin talk about their journeys towards becoming fitness instructors and the things they have gained both inside and outside of the studio. They also share some really cool insights about how they tailor their classes to the location, time, and studios where they coach. Be sure to follow @danielamceli and @martin_crozier on Instagram, and DEFINITELY check out their classes in New York City!