Connection Is Survival: Why We’re So Divided, Lonely, and On Edge (The Velvet)

These days, it feels like everything—especially politics—is designed to divide us. The outrage, the blame game, the constant fighting…it’s like throwing salt on a wound, making things worse instead of better. After Kelly's conversation with author, psychologist and executive coach, Dr. Harry Cohen, this week, Kelly and Chip ask: What if we approached things differently? If we’re all looking at the world through different lenses, how do we hold space for those differences without working against each other—and against ourselves? They explore how negativity and conflict are being used to manipulate us, why kindness and unity are often dismissed as weak or boring, and the small but powerful shifts we can make to actually create change. Book: Be the Sun, Not the Salt  Email us: [email protected] HOSTS: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com Chip Dorsch // @chipdorschFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between political tension, social media, and constant bad news, it can feel like everyone is either fighting, shutting down, or both. But according to couples therapist and author Carolyn Sharp, there’s something deeper happening in the brain. In this episode, Carolyn returns to talk about her new book Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationships and her TEDx talk Connection = Survival. She breaks down the two powerful forces driving human behavior — survival and connection — and why so many of us are stuck in survival mode right now, reacting to disagreement as if our safety is being threatened. Kelly and Carolyn unpack the loneliness epidemic, how social media creates the illusion of connection while leaving us more isolated, and why curiosity is one of the most radical tools we have in a divided world. If everything feels heavier lately — from relationships to online discourse to the state of the world — this conversation explains why… and what we can actually do about it. Book: Fire It Up  Find Carolyn on Instagram: @secureconnectionscoaching Check out her website: CarolynSharp.com   Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube! Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.comFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly and Chip jump back in with a Friday catch-up, sharing what unfolded over the holidays, a health update from Chip about his mom, and a little life banter along the way. They reflect on the words that defined 2025 and talk through the words they’re bringing into 2026. Watch us on YouTube! (By clicking this) Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOSTS: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com Chip Dorsch // @chipdorschFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a moment when something quietly but firmly ends. Not because it’s resolved — but because you’re done carrying it. In this episode, Kelly and master astrologer Marvin Wilkerson talk about the energetic themes shaping January — a turning point that marks the end of a long emotional and spiritual chapter, and the beginning of a more self-directed one. This isn’t about fixing or understanding everything. It’s about recognizing what no longer fits, releasing outdated roles, and choosing to stop postponing your own needs. The conversation centers on boundaries, responsibility, and the shift from tolerating confusion to making clear, grounded decisions. Less explaining. More choosing. Less endurance. More intention. This is the moment when survival gives way to direction — and clarity comes through action. Book a personal chart reading with Marv: [email protected] Book: Soul Fusion Healing Visit Marvin's Website at astromarv.com, blhypnosis.com, or SoulFusionHealing.com Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube! Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.comFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly and Chip open their settings and reveal the results of how much time they spend on their phones and doing what. They also reveal astonishing stats about how time spent changes as we age and bring some options on doing things differently to live your actual most connected life. Watch us on YouTube! (By clicking this) Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOSTS: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com Chip Dorsch // @chipdorschFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly welcomes Dr. Chiti Parikh, one of the leading integrative medicine physicians in the country and the founder of Integrative Health & Wellbeing at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Parikh's first book, Intentional Health: Detoxify, Nourish and Rejuvenate Your Body into Balance is a comprehensive roadmap that empowers individuals to take charge of their health through five thousand years of science, combining ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science. She gives Kelly massive insight on simple ways to set intentions with your body that don't rely on fad diets, deprivation or throwing another pill at the problem. Dr. Parikh addresses:  - Getting in tune with your circadian rhythm  - Why digestion and gut health are actually the most important - Getting to the root cause - The power of positivity and how emotions impact our health (it's all connected) - 28 day reset  - 20 minute Daily Health Ritual  She is full of insight, but puts it all in easily digestible (pun intended) terms for the listeners to get their year started off right!  Book: Intention Health: Detoxify, Nourish, and Rejuvenate Your Body Into Balance  Website: intentionalhealth.io Socials: @intentionalhealth_ Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube! Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.comFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this follow-up to Kelly’s conversation with Dr. Alexandra Sowa, author of The Ozempic Revolution, Chip shares his personal experience with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. From the unexpected challenges to the ways it’s impacted his life, Chip offers an honest look at what being on this medication is really like. Kelly and Chip also dive into the stigma surrounding weight loss medications, the shifting perspective on obesity as a disease, and how these conversations are reframing the way we think about health. They explore the emotional side of weight loss—how it ties into identity and self-worth—and reflect on the bigger picture: Is Ozempic just another quick fix, or can it be part of a meaningful, long-term approach to wellness? This episode is a candid and relatable take on a complex topic, offering insights that go beyond the headlines. Watch us on YouTube! (By clicking this) Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOSTS: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com Chip Dorsch // @chipdorsch  Follow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Alexandra Sowa, author of The Ozempic Revolution, joins to dive into the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and their impact on health and culture. While Dr. Sowa shares why she believes in the benefits of these medications, she also raises concerns about the way our society is using them as a "quick fix." Her book offers a strategy for users to not only address obesity but also shift toward a lifestyle of prevention and long-term wellness. In this episode, Dr. Sowa challenges common misconceptions about obesity, explaining why it’s a disease, not a failure, and explores why it has become so prevalent in America. Book: The Ozempic Revolution Socials: @alexandrasowamd Website: https://alexandrasowamd.com Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube! Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.comFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your relationship feels off, how do you reset? Chip and Kelly dive into the relatable realities of stale relationships, from petty fights (that are never really about the toothpaste) to quirky habits that can either annoy or bring you closer. We’ll share tips for breaking out of a rut, why laughter is key, and how small moments of connection can make a big difference. Plus, we’re debating everyday quirks in a hilarious round of Cute or Cringe?. Watch us on YouTube! (By clicking this) Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOSTS: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com Chip Dorsch // @chipdorsch  Follow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, couples therapist, coach, and author Carolyn Sharp joins Kelly to discuss her new book, Fire It Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationships. Carolyn dives into why relationships get stale and shares her transformative four-step process to bring back love, connection, and vitality. From understanding how relationships work to uncovering your unique needs and mastering the "communication dance," Carolyn offers practical tools to create a healthier emotional bond and a thriving relationship. She also reveals why conflict and repair are the most critical skills for lasting love and how building emotional intimacy is the key to reigniting passion. Book: Fire It Up  Find Carolyn on Instagram: @secureconnectionscoaching Watch The Velvet's Edge on YouTube! Email us: [email protected] TikTok: @velvetsedge Follow the podcast on Instagram: @VelvetsEdgePodcast HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.comFollow Velvet's Edge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.