Episodes

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Karla, author of Let’s Finally Talk About Sex. In this inspiring episode, Dr. Karla opens up about her childhood, her turbulent college years, and the powerful journey that led her to write her groundbreaking book. We also dive into the incredible work she’s doing as a therapist, advocating for mental health and her inspiring work as co-founder and president of One Patient Global Health Initiative. Tune in for an honest, insightful conversation you...

In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Bracha to discuss her transformative journey through food addiction, spiritual growth, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Bracha shares how embracing gratitude has been a powerful tool in her healing process, and how it has shaped both her personal life and her incredible work writing children's books. Her story is a beautiful reminder that no matter where we start, gratitude can be one of the greatest gifts we give ourselves. Bracha's inspiring words will leave you feeling uplifted and empowered to approach life with a heart full of gratitude. Please Note: This episode contains descriptions of eating disorders. Please take care while listening. Visit Bracha’s Website: http://growingimpactpublications.com Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com  Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthi…

In this powerful episode, we welcome Koya, an incredibly brave woman whose journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Koya opens up about the horrific childhood trauma she endured and the lasting impact it had on her throughout her adult life. She shares how therapy helped her heal and how she found empowerment through competing in pageants—many of which she has won. Her story is one of survival, resilience, and the power of transformation. Koya’s experience is a moving reminder of the capacity we all have to overcome challenges, heal, and rise above. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the power of resilience and the beauty that can emerge from the darkest of times. Please Note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault, eating disorders, self harm, and suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening. Sexual Assault Support: https://rainn.org/resources Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://988lifeline.org Eating Disorder Support: h…

This week on Behind Beautiful Things we welcome Stephen, author of the moving and inspiring book “Walk On”! Stephen tells the story of the unthinkable tragedy of losing his son Jake, his family’s journey through almost unbearable grief, how Jake continues to live on through memories and scholarship, and the meaning of “Walking On”. It is a remarkable story, and I hope you can join us! Stephen’s website: https://www.stephenpanus.com/ Walk On is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things we welcome Michelle, the author of the book “Cracked Open”! We speak with Michelle about some traumas she dealt with in her younger years, the religious organization she joined, and her years as the wife of a pastor. We also discuss her working to raise her five kids while continuing to stay strong in her convictions. It is a really remarkable story, and I hope you can join us! Michelle’s Website: https://michellemoffitt.com/ Buy Michelle’s Book “Cracked Ope...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things we welcome in Riana! For over 25 years, Riana has specialized as a Trauma Recovery Mental Health Counselor & Life, Love & Mindset Coach in healing adults with Unconscious Childhood & Relationship Trauma. She helps them to vercome hard and challenging times to Create the Life They Desire & Have the Love They Deserve. Today, Riana and Kevin discuss her years of work, what she considers to be the top ten causes of childhood trauma, and how those traumas show up ...

What does it mean to write from the soul? In this special conversation, Brad Wetzler joins Kevin to explore the deeper dimensions of writing, storytelling, and the essence of soul. Brad shares insights from his new course, *Writing the Soul*, and discusses how memoir can be a powerful path to self-discovery and healing.  Together, they unpack what it means to write from a place of honesty and vulnerability, the connection between body and storytelling, and how writing can transform our relationship with trauma, memory, and meaning.  What You'll Learn in This Episode:  - What “soul” really means and how it shows up in our writing and lives  - Why soul writing is different from traditional writing—and why it matters  - How writing can help us heal from trauma and emotional wounds  - The role of the body in storytelling—why memory lives in our muscles as much as our minds  - How to get unstuck when fear, perfectionism, or self-judgment take over  - Why writing …

This week on Behind Beautiful Things we welcom back Mitch for the conclusion of his story. If you have not listened to part one, please see the link below. Mitch is the author of the book “Columbus Day”. On this episode, Mitch continues his story. Now released from the institution, Mitch works with his dad for a while before being put back into school. We will hear about Mitch’s journey adapting back to school, his initial attempts to live on his own, his determination to be a police officer and serve his community, and how he is doing today. Please join us! Part I of Mitch’s story can be found here: https://www.sadtimespodcast.com/mitch-part-i-of-ii-unneeded-institutionalization-129/ Buy Mitch’s book “Columbus Day” here. View Mitch’s incredible artwork at MitchRosenart.com Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behin…

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, we welcome Mitch, the author of the book “Columbus Day”. On this episode, the first part in a two part series, Mitch tells the harrowing story of his childhood relationship with his Mother, how he was checked into a hospital for a 30 day “evaluation” without his knowledge, and then how he was institutionalized for three and a half years without any explanation. It is a story of resilience and strength, and will be continued next week. Please join us! Buy Mitch’s book “Columbus Day” here. View Mitch’s incredible artwork at MitchRosenart.com Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com Get your very own “Sad Schwag…

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, we welcome Maura, the author of the upcoming book “Saving Ellen”. On this episode, Maura tells us the difficult story of learning about her sister’s illness, the inspiring way her family rallied around her, her sister’s kidney transplant, and finally, the lasting effects this had on Maura and the family. Please join us! Please Note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault. Please take care while listening Maura’s website - https://www.caseyink.com/  Maura’s substack - https://maurac.substack.com/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/author.maura.casey/  Gooreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214151305-saving-ellen  Buy “Saving Ellen” on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Ellen-Memoir-Hope-Recovery/dp/1510780777/  Buy “Saving Ellen” on Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/p/books/saving-ellen-a-memoir-of-hope-and-recovery-maura-casey/21517661 Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow …

This week, we welcome Carol, the author of the upcoming book “Girl, Groomed” to Behind Beautiful Things. Carol joins us to tell a harrowing story of severe childhood trauma, the silence around the abuse she and others experienced, and then how her trauma continued to effect her throughout her life. Please join us! Please Note: There is discussion of sexual abuse and violence in this episode. Please take care while listening. Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/p/books/girl-groomed-carol-odell/21633639 Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girl-groomed-carol-odell/1145931748 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Groomed-Carol-Odell/dp/1647428726/ National Sexual Assault Hotline (24 hour) 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) Their website also offers State by State resources. US Center for SafeSport 833-5US-Safe (833-587-7233) Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com  Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.c…

This week, we welcome Joel to Behind Beautiful Things. Joel is a professional actor and a friend of Kevin’s. On this episode, we talk about his early childhood struggles with mental health, his turbulent medication journey, and we check in on where he is today. Please join us! Please note there is discussion of going on and off mental health medications in this episode. Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a stand in for medical advice, and we encourage you to always work with a doctor for any of your medication needs. Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/album…

This week, we welcome Julie to Behind Beautiful Things. Julie is the author of three books about her journey as an adopted child. Today, we discuss her newly released third book “Twice the Family”. During this episode, we talk about Julie’s experience as an adoptee, her bond with her family, and her search for her birth parents. This is an inspiring and hopeful story — please join us! WEBSITE: https://juliemcgueauthor.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.facebook.com/juliemcguewrites https://x.com/juliermcgue https://www.instagram.com/julieryanmcgue/ PURCHASE LINKS: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Twice-the-Family/Julie-Ryan-McGue/9781647427863 https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/164742786X https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twice-the-family-julie-ryan-mcgue/1145822812 https://bookshop.org/p/books/twice-the-family-a-memoir-of-love-loss-and-sisterhood-julie-ryan-mcgue/21588772 Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things…

This week, we welcome in Subha to tell her incredible story. Born in a small village in India, Subha was always told that societal norms dictated what her life could consist of. Through her story, we learn about her determination to build a career, raising a daughter on her own, the incredible work she has done, and continues to do, for women in India, and more. Please join us! Note: This episode contains descriptions of suicidal ideation and domestic violence. Please take care while listening. Visit: www.aguawomen.com Visit: www.aguainclusion.com Visit: www.aguagiftingsmiles.com Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com Get your very own “Sad…

This week, we welcome the host of the excellent podcast “Creating Greatness”, Robert! Robert joins the show to talk about his issues growing up, how he turned to drugs as a solution, his time in and out of prison, and finally, his fourth prison sentence. Robert tells an absolutely incredible and inspirational story about how he came to be where he is today. Please join us! Check out Robert’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kingacomebakks Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022 Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is commi…

This week, we welcome a returning guest: Jason! Jason is the host of the excellent podcast “My Madness METHod”. He was a guest in episode 71 of “Behind Beautiful Things”. This week, Jason returns to talk about his incredible podcast, his thoughts on what the “operating system” version of ourselves are, and the project he and Kevin have started collaborating on. Please join us! Link to Jason’s podcast “My Madness Method”: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PqoIjFXPgxBgTVt3zYJos Link to Jason’s Website: https://eight19product.com/ Jason’s previous episode of Behind Beautiful Things: https://www.sadtimespodcast.com/searching-for-connection-and-finding-addiction-jason-on-his-traumatic-childhood-his-introduction-t/ Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional S…

This week, we welcome in Moey! Moey and Kevin have known each other for over two decades. She is on the show to talk about her struggles with body positivity issues, how we often long for what we once were but are no longer, some health issues that she had to deal with, and her continuing journey to love herself as she is. This is an eye opening discussion — please join us! Find Moey on Instagram: @chicandcrackingup40 Find Moey on Tik Tok: @chicandcrackingup40 Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022 …

This week, we welcome Marilyn! Marilyn is the author of the inspiring book “Don’t Walk Away: A Care Person’s Journey”. This week, we discuss her childhood, how her family has always dealt with death, her mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, her role as her mother’s caretaker, and the absolute joy Marilyn experienced spending every day of her mother’s journey with her. Marilyn has the goal of changing the view of dementia — please join us! Links to Marilyn’s book dontwalkaway.net/ Link to Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCBMQNDB Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/…

This week, we welcome in a returning guest! Jon has been on the show a few times before, but today he is appearing as “New Blue Eyes”, the name in which he writes and records music. We also welcome the owner of “Handwritten Recording”, Rick. The three of us discuss the new name, our connection with our families, how sadness can be turned into art, why and when we turn to music, and also premiere of a new song, “Five of Wands”. Please join us and check out New Blue Eyes! Find New Blue Eyes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newblueeyes/profilecard/?igsh=MWo2ZmwxYTdiem9wNw== Check out Handwritten Recording: http://www.handwrittenrecording.com Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249 Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com Check out Kevin’s substack: h…

This week, we welcome in Anne, the author of the book Mattie, Milo, and Me: A Memoir . During this episode, we will discuss Anne’s traumatic upbringing, her discovery of Bruce Springsteen, and her incredible memoir about dog ownership and how it can change us. This is an inspiring story on many levels and we hope you can join us! Warning: There are discussions of physical, emotional, and animal abuse. Please take care while listening. Visit Anne’s website: http://www.anneabelauthor.com/ Find A...

This week, we welcome in Dan, the author of the book “Why is Sam so SAD?” . During this episode, we will discuss Dan’s early years trying to find his place at both school and at home, his years as a special education teacher, and his battle with Seasonal Affective Disorder. We will also discuss his book, “Why is Sam so SAD?” Please join us! Warning: There are discussions of Suicidal ideation in this episode — please take care while listening. Visit Dan’s Website: http://dan-granger.com/ Pick u...

This week, we welcome in Janet and Jenny, a mother and daughter. During this episode, we will discuss Jenny’s diagnosis of autism, how her mother, Janet, struggled to find help and resources, the challenges they both faced as Jenny was growing up, and their shared journey to thriving. Janet and Jenny have shared their story far and wide. Jenny has also written two books of her own (with more to come!). Please join us for this episode as we discuss the story of these two amazing people! Warning: There are descriptions of bullying in this episode — please take care while listening. Jenny’s website: https://jennyjennystory.wixsite.com/dysnomia Janet’s website: https://janetwal.wixsite.com/autismconnects Find Jenny on instagram: @jennystory2019 @jennystories101 Find Janet on instagram: @janet.walmsley Find Jenny and Janet on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesofnonfictionandfiction/ Sad Times Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com Follow Sad Times on Facebook: https://www.f…

This week we wrap up our two Part series discussing Kevin’s Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) work with Nikki. In an earlier episode (linked below), Nikki and Kevin discussed the first half of the NLP work he did with Nikki. This week, we rejoin Nikki and Kevin as they discuss his second half of the NLP work, including how the work evolved, the challenges he faced, and the pivotal last session Nikki and Kevin worked together on. Also, Nikki has included a free link to sign up for upcoming workshops in the notes below. If you have any interest in pursuing this, please click on the below link. Thank you Nikki for the amazing work you do! I hope all of you can join us! Link to Nikki and Kevin’s previous episode: https://www.sadtimespodcast.com/kevin-and-returning-guest-nikki-discuss-his-progress-with-nlp-treatment-108/ Nikki’s website: https://nikkinicholas.com Click here to learn more about Nikki’s upcoming workshops: https://nikkinicholas.com/join-my-upcoming-workshop-oif/ Find Ni…

This week we welcome Elise to Sad Times! Elise is the co-host of the Deep Life podcast (link below). During this episode, Elise shares her story about encountering supreme struggles in her mid life, her horrific year of many family member’s suffering from cancer, and the recovery she went through to get to where she is today. I hope you can join us! Please note: There are descriptions of struggling with eating disorders during this episode. Please take care while listening. Connect with Elise ...