Episodes

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with physician and author Dr. Laura Gabayan to discuss her book Common Wisdom. Drawing from her background in medicine and years of personal experience, Dr. Gabayan shares insights into the deeper meaning of wisdom and how it shapes our lives. During the conversation, Dr. Gabayan talks about her career as a physician, the medical challenges that ultimately led her to step away from practicing medicine, and the transformative journ...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with author Marsh to discuss her book A Version of the Truth. Marsh shares the story behind her decades-long unconventional relationship and the powerful life lessons it brought with it. Together, Kevin and Marsh explore the struggles, complexities, and unexpected joys of navigating a nontraditional partnership over many years. Marsh reflects on love, resilience, and the emotional realities of relationships that don’t always follo...

In this episode, Kevin sits down with author and holistic healing practitioner Ishan to discuss his book The Practice of Immortality. Together, they explore Ishan’s early childhood experiences and the personal journey that shaped his approach to mental health and healing. During the conversation, Ishan shares his perspective on OCD and anxiety, challenges common Western approaches to mental health, and explains how holistic healing practices can support deeper emotional and spiritual well-being...

In this gripping episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Peggy, author of Surviving the Family Kingdom, for a powerful conversation about cult survival, family trauma, and breaking free from control. Peggy shares her experience growing up in a nomadic childhood under the authority of her mother, who led a tightly controlled family cult. She describes being raised to obey without question, the psychological dynamics of cult leadership within a family structure, and the lasting im...

In this compelling episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Amanda for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, healing, and restorative justice. Amanda bravely shares the difficult experiences she endured as a child and how those formative challenges shaped her path toward an extensive education in criminal law. Together, they explore the principles of restorative justice — a justice model that centers victims, prioritizes accountability, and seeks healing over punishment...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Angie, author of All I See Is Violence, for an in-depth conversation about Indigenous history, identity, and storytelling. Angie shares her early life growing up in an Indigenous community, her personal educational journey, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a writer. Drawing from extensive research into the history of Indigenous peoples, Angie discusses the inspiration behind her novel All I See Is Violence and how...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Stacey, author of Empty Cupboards and several other books, for a candid and deeply moving conversation. Stacey shares her experience of a sudden nervous breakdown in 2001, the ongoing daily challenges of mental health recovery, and the personal and family tragedies she faced along the way. Through her story, Stacey reflects on resilience, healing, and the long road toward hope, offering listeners an honest look at what it mea...

In this powerful episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down once again with Sarah, author of the forthcoming memoir in verse, Conjuring the Hurricane: The Best Way to Save Your Life Is Any Way You Can. Sarah shares her deeply personal journey as a domestic violence survivor, opening up about how she found the strength and resources to leave an abusive relationship. Together, Kevin and Sarah explore the lasting impact of childhood experiences, generational trauma, and the long road...

In this special episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Sarah, an author and resident of Minneapolis, MN. In this conversation, Kevin speaks with Sarah about what it is really like on the ground as an American city is under siege from its own federal government. Sarah bears witness to the chaos and cruelty on the ground. But more importantly, she speaks about the strength of community, the humanity in all of us, and the power of kindness. Please join us! A list of resourc...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Patton, author of The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become, for a deeply personal and reflective conversation. Patton opens up about his relationship with his father, including the impact of addiction, grief, and loss on their bond. Patton shares his journey of losing his father and the emotional work that followed—coming to terms with a complicated relationship and ultimately redefining what it means...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Andrea, author of Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Andrea shares the inspiring story of her sister Adrienne and her courageous battle with liver cancer, reflecting on their close bond, Adrienne’s resilience, and the lasting impact of her journey. Listeners will hear Andrea discuss her early life, the deep relationship she shared with her sister, and how Adrienne’s legacy led to t...

In this week’s episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin interviews Blair, author of A Schizoid at Smith: How Overparenting Leads to Underachieving, for an insightful conversation about mental health, identity, and self-understanding. Blair shares her upbringing in a home that lacked emotional connection and nurturing, and how those experiences shaped her development and eventual diagnosis of Schizoid Personality Disorder. She explains what this diagnosis means for her life and offers valua...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Jasmine for a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and personal growth. Jasmine shares her experience with relentless childhood bullying, the emotional impact of her parents’ painful separation, and her father’s serious health challenges. She also opens up about navigating difficult relationships and addiction, and how those struggles shaped her journey toward healing. Today, Jasmine uses her lived experie...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin interviews Grant, a Master Life Coach, for a powerful conversation about healing, resilience, and personal growth. Grant opens up about the years of bullying he experienced as a child, the impact it had on his mental health, and the many paths he explored on his journey toward healing. Listeners will discover how working with a Life Coach became a turning point that helped Grant transform his life. Now a Master Life Coach himself, Grant shar...

In this week’s episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Jasmin, the Chief Growth Officer at CHOW—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mental health and overall wellness in the hospitality and service industry. Jasmin opens up about her journey as a chef, the mental health challenges she faced in the kitchen, and how those experiences led her to CHOW’s mission of providing community, resources, and real support for hospitality professionals. Together, Kevin and Jasmin dive in...

In this week’s episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Shawn, author of F*ck Happiness: The Search for Meaning in a World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness*. Shawn shares his powerful life story—from growing up in Chicago and working long hours in a steel factory to navigating serious mental health challenges that shaped his early adulthood. Kevin and Shawn explore how Shawn took a bold leap of faith, moving to Los Angeles to launch his own talent agency and building it from the ...

In this week’s episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Pamela, acclaimed author of When You Look Like Us and This Town Is on Fire. In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Pamela opens up about her childhood, her lifelong journey with anxiety, the challenges and triumphs of raising her child as a single mother, and the passion behind her powerful work as an author. With honesty and warmth, Pamela shares the personal experiences that shaped her voice, fueled her creativity, ...

In this week’s episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Tony, the author of Carrying the Tiger, for an intimate and deeply moving conversation about love, loss, and resilience. Tony opens up about the moment he learned of his wife’s cancer diagnosis, the challenging years of treatment that followed, and the heartbreaking experience of saying goodbye. He also reflects on living with daily grief, healing at his own pace, and eventually discovering the possibility of new love. ...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Aaron, the author of Four Walks in Central Park: A Poetic Guide to the Park. In this deeply personal conversation, Aaron opens up about his journey through childhood depression, the loneliness of the pandemic, and the addiction that followed. As he shares his story, we follow him through the quiet paths of Central Park—a place that became both his refuge and his teacher. Through poetry, nature, and small moments of stillness, Aaron found...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Erin for an honest and inspiring conversation about mental health, motherhood, and personal growth. Erin opens up about the mental health challenges she faced growing up, the difficult truths she discovered about the world, and how becoming a mother shaped her emotional well-being. She also shares the meaningful work she does every day to support others on their own journeys. Tune in to hear a heartfelt discussion about resilience, heali...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with author Timothy, whose new memoir Stumbling in the Dark: Looking for the Light Switch explores the power of hope, healing, and resilience. In this deeply moving conversation, Timothy opens up about his traumatic childhood, life in the military, and the profound love story that carried him through heartbreak and separation. Together, we discuss how he found light in the darkest places and what it truly means to overcome pain with grace an...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, we sit down with Rachel, author of the powerful new memoir As Is. In this deeply moving conversation, Rachel opens up about her upbringing in an isolated religious community, the trauma her family endured, and the healing journey that followed. Through yoga, self-discovery, and resilience, Rachel found a path toward freedom and peace—and she shares the lessons that helped her rebuild her life. If you’re drawn to stories of healing from trauma, personal tra...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, we welcome back Anne, whose story of resilience and rediscovery continues to inspire listeners. In her new book High Hopes, Anne shares how attending her first Bruce Springsteen concert at age 59became a life-changing experience—one that reignited her sense of joy and connection. Join us as we dive into Anne’s journey from a difficult childhood to finding hope, music, and meaning through The Boss’s legendary energy and storytelling. We talk about Springstee...

In this insightful episode of Behind Beautiful Things, we sit down with Jordyn, author of My Heart Has Been in it From the Start, as she shares her powerful mental health journey. Jordyn opens up about growing up with ADHD and how it deeply impacted her self-esteem and sense of identity. She also speaks candidly about her ongoing challenges with depression, anxiety, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). With honesty and eloquence, Jordyn offers a moving perspective on what it means to live w...