The Big Silence

The Big Silence is a podcast hosted by Karena Dawn.

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Latest Episodes

Stronger Every Day: Angelo Keely’s Science-Backed Guide to Protein, Recovery & Resilience

Stronger Every Day: Angelo Keely’s Science-Backed Guide to Protein, Recovery & Resilience

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What if one terrifying night became the catalyst for a lifetime of healing?

In this powerhouse episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Angelo Keely, co-founder and CEO of Kion, to unpack his extraordinary path—from a near-fatal stabbing at 16 to building a company rooted in simple, consistent habits that support both muscle and mood. Angelo breaks down protein (in plain English), and you’ll learn how small, repeatable choices can stack up into real change. He also explains why essential amino acids and creatine are especially impactful as we age. If you’ve wondered how to protect muscle, sharpen your mind, or support mental health without going “all or nothing,” this one’s for you.


How Do We Build Muscle and Mood—At Any Age—With Protein, Aminos, Creatine, and Consistent Habits?

Angelo shares the science and the systems that actually work, and how to choose one tiny action you can repeat every day for real impact.


(00:01:00) What Kion Is—and Why Angelo Says You Don’t “Need” It

  • Principle first, product second: Food comes first; EAAs are a targeted way to stimulate muscle protein synthesis with fewer calories.
  • Non-workout days matter: EAAs still drive protein synthesis—even on rest days.
  • Consistency > intensity: Angelo takes EAAs every morning (often with creatine) to “tell” his body to rebuild.
  • Better together: Taking EAAs before training leverages increased blood flow for greater impact.


(00:05:30) From Bad Trip to Bigger Life: Trauma, Accountability, and 20 Years of Integration

  • The turning point: A severe LSD episode led to assault and multiple stab wounds—sparking a decades-long healing journey.
  • Whole-person recovery: Talk therapy, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, movement, and study.
  • Daily rhythm: 15k steps, basic strength work, slow “zone-2” runs, and short family meditations.
  • One thing rule: Pick one change you’ll actually do every day; stack from there.


(00:14:30) Protein 101: Why EAAs Can Beat Whey—and Whey Often Beats Steak

  • Energy vs. materials: Carbs/fats fuel; protein rebuilds tissues, enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters.
  • Quality counts: Higher essential amino acid content + digestibility = stronger protein synthesis signal.
  • Practical takeaway: EAAs can deliver the goal of protein (rebuild/retain muscle) with fewer calories—useful for fat loss without muscle loss.
  • Aging advantage: As we age, we’re less sensitive to protein; powders and EAAs become more useful.


(00:31:30) Creatine & Women: Strength, Cognition, and Mood—Minus the “Bloat” Myth

  • How it works: Creatine saturates muscle (and brain) phosphocreatine stores, making reps and sprints feel slightly easier—strength builds over time.
  • Brain benefits: Higher intakes in studies have shown improvements in memory/focus; emerging research suggests better depression outcomes.
  • Myth-busting: Quality creatine monohydrate doesn’t cause true “bloat”; women tend to gain strength/endur­ance—not bulk.
  • Dosage mindset: Daily use matters (not just on lift days). Pair with protein/EAAs and strength work for the compounding effect.


(00:40:30) Weight Loss Without Muscle Loss: GLP-1s, Deficits & The Case for More Protein/EAAs

  • The risk: Calorie deficits (drug-assisted or not) can strip muscle unless protein/EAAs are substantially higher.
  • Target outcome: Lose fat, keep muscle—use EAAs as a “cheat code” to shore up a...
From Hustle Culture to Human Be-ing: Israa Nasir on Anxiety, Boundaries & Dismantling Toxic Productivity

From Hustle Culture to Human Be-ing: Israa Nasir on Anxiety, Boundaries & Dismantling Toxic Productivity

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Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if redefining success started with your nervous system?



In this powerful, live from New York conversation, Karena sits down with therapist and author Israa Nasir to unpack why achievement alone can still leave us feeling empty. You’ll learn how to rebuild self-worth and regulate anxiety in a content-saturated world, and how to set boundaries that deepen connection. From cultural myths about “hustle” to cognitive distortions, this is a grounded, practical path back to yourself.


How do we reclaim self-worth beyond achievement in a content-saturated world?


Stepping off the productivity hamster wheel shows that worth isn’t earned by output. It’s built through nervous-system safety, self-trust, and boundaries that honor your life.



(00:59) Toxic productivity, defined- spot the drivers

  • Naming the emotions behind the urge to do more 
  • Ask: “What value am I sacrificing for this outcome?”
  • Track when achievement ≠ fulfillment to find misalignment
  • Swap “more” for “meaning”: one priority per day


(06:11) High-achiever mind traps + overcommitment fixes

  • Challenging the idea “If I did it, it must’ve been easy—so it doesn’t count.”
  • Log weekly wins before raising the bar again
  • Recalibrate unrealistic timelines without self-shaming
  • Build buffer time into every “yes”


(10:47) 7 types of rest & creative regulation

  • The 7 Types of Rest Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
  • Rotate rest: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, spiritual
  • Emotional rest = time you don’t process feelings—protect it
  • Try “mediocre hobbies” for nervous-system care
  • Schedule short, low-stakes creative breaks to prevent rumination


(14:29) Anxiety in an info storm: design your media diet

  • Practice monotasking to lower baseline arousal
  • Long-form inputs lengthen dopamine loops and build patience
  • Reduce tab clutter; batch-check news/social to curb hypervigilance
  • Notice fragmentation triggers and step away


(25:41) Boundaries that deepen connection (and when to go firm)

  • Lead with “I can/can’t…” vs. policing others—invite dialogue
  • Expect pushback; validate feelings without abandoning limits
  • Context matters: choose low-drama exits on charged topics
  • Distinguishing privacy from secrecy


Thanks for the support from our partners, including:


Guest Resources



JOIN US: "Fall Into Motion" with Tone It Up! The Program begins October 20th, sign up now: https://my.toneitup.com/pages/fall-into-motion


If this episode moved you, please consider...

Surviving the Jump: Kevin Hines on Miracles, Mental Health & Finding Love Beyond the Pain

Surviving the Jump: Kevin Hines on Miracles, Mental Health & Finding Love Beyond the Pain

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Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if the moment you thought would end your life became the start of a mission to save millions?

In this extraordinary episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with suicide prevention advocate, storyteller, and best-selling author Kevin Hines. At 19, Kevin jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge — and lived to talk about it. Since then, his journey has become a beacon of hope, proving that resilience, love, and the right words at the right time can rewrite any story. From the sea lion that kept him afloat to the love story that began in a psych ward, Kevin shares the lessons he’s learned about staying, surviving, and thriving.

How do you find the will to live when your own mind tells you otherwise?

Kevin shows us that survival is not just possible. It can be the foundation for a life full of purpose, healing, and connection.


(00:00) From Trauma to Adoption: The Early Years

  • Kevin’s childhood of neglect, poverty, and losing his brother in foster care
  • How the Hines family gave him stability, love, and a new beginning
  • Hiding behind the mask of “everything’s fine”


(07:57) Living With Bipolar Disorder & Suicidal Ideation

  • Why silence and shame keep so many from getting help
  • Kevin’s mantra: “My thoughts do not have to become my actions”
  • The four words that have kept him alive for 25 years


(11:40) The Golden Gate Bridge Attempt & Miracles That Followed

  • The instant regret that 19 survivors reported feeling
  • The sea lion that kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived
  • How a stranger’s phone call set off a chain of lifesaving miracles


(15:27) Turning Pain Into Purpose: Speaking, Writing & Advocacy

  • Kevin’s mission to share his story 
  • His workbook The Art of Wellness and the daily practices he lives by
  • How routines like breathwork, exercise, and sleep protect his brain health


(18:51) Love in the Psych Ward: Kevin & Margaret’s Story

  • Meeting his future wife during his third involuntary stay
  • The “worst first date ever” 
  • Why unconditional love and partnership became his ultimate source of strength


(21:13) The Fight for Safety at the Golden Gate Bridge

  • How Kevin and his father co-founded the Bridge Rail Foundation
  • The long battle to install suicide prevention nets
  • Why saving lives matters more than “aesthetics” or money


(23:58) How to Save a Life: What to Say When Someone’s in Pain

  • The exact questions anyone can ask when they see someone struggling
  • Why simply stopping and caring could make the difference
  • Kevin’s reminder that suicide is never the solution; it’s the problem


(25:58) Daily Mental Health Habits That Work

  • The 23-minute rule for exercise and better mood
  • Using logic and support to combat paranoia
  • Why therapy, meditation, and medication all play a role


(31:01) Living Proof That Healing is Possible

  • How Kevin’s work has reached over 3 billion viewers worldwide
  • The thousands of people who’ve written to say his story saved their lives
  • His message: every waking moment is a gift worth staying for


Guest...

Turning Fear Into Creative Fuel: Josh Pais’ Secrets to Presence & Creativity

Turning Fear Into Creative Fuel: Josh Pais’ Secrets to Presence & Creativity

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Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if fear wasn’t an enemy to conquer, but a source of fuel for creativity? 

In this powerful episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with actor, teacher, and Committed Impulse founder, Josh Pais. From growing up in New York’s gritty Alphabet City to starring in over 150 films and shows alongside legends like Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Joaquin Phoenix, Josh’s story is one of resilience, presence, and creative freedom. He opens up about his new book, Lose Your Mind, how anxiety can become fuel instead of a roadblock, and why the unknown is the most powerful space for growth. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply trying to quiet the self-judgment in your head, Josh’s wisdom will shift the way you experience fear and creativity.


How can we reframe fear as a source of creative energy?

Josh reveals how fear, anxiety, and even sadness aren’t enemies to suppress but sensations to ride — opening the door to authentic expression, connection, and freedom.


(00:01:00) From Ninja Turtles to Neuroscience

  • How Josh’s father, a physicist who worked with Einstein, influenced his view of emotions as atomic vibrations.
  • Early struggles with anxiety and why suppressing fear disconnects us from authenticity.


(00:11:30) The Four Access Points to Presence

  • Josh’s simple framework: “I’m back,” body awareness, breath, and environment.
  • Why tuning into sensation creates connection, from courtroom lawyers to surgeons in the OR.
  • How these tools help shift from self-judgment into creativity.


(00:20:00) Feeling Without Fixing

  • Why any sensation, even anxiety, shifts in 7–12 seconds when fully felt.
  • Josh guides Karena through noticing “atomic” sensations in her body.
  • Why honoring sadness, joy, and fear unlocks energy instead of draining it.


(00:27:30) Growing Up in Alphabet City

  • Josh’s childhood surrounded by artists, danger, and addiction in Lower Manhattan.
  • How play and imagination became his lifeline.
  • The decision to step away from drugs and lean into creativity as a survival tool.


(00:34:50) Lessons from Legends

  • Stories from working with De Niro, Streep, Joaquin Phoenix, and more.
  • Why the most powerful acting lesson he ever learned was simply: “Just talk to the person.”
  • Josh’s mantra before every scene: “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”


Guest Resources



JOIN US: "Fall Into Motion" with Tone It Up! The Program begins October 20th, sign up now: https://my.toneitup.com/pages/fall-into-motion

If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:


Connect with The Big Silence...

Vanessa Rissetto: A CEO’s Honest Take on Nutrition, Mental Health, and Saying What You Mean is great

Vanessa Rissetto: A CEO’s Honest Take on Nutrition, Mental Health, and Saying What You Mean is great

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What happens when a cancer diagnosis collides with raising $10 million in venture capital?

On this episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Vanessa Rissetto, registered dietitian, CEO and co-founder of Culina Health, and cancer survivor who’s redefining resilience. From growing up in a Haitian household to building the only nutrition company backed by a big insurance provider, Vanessa’s story is proof that success is about more than grit — it’s about honesty, boundaries, and balance. She opens up about her diagnosis, how entrepreneurship pushed her to the brink, and why learning to say “no” has become her ultimate health strategy.

How Do We Redefine Health and Success Beyond Hustle Culture?

Vanessa shares how her cancer journey shifted her perspective from chasing external validation to prioritizing joy, mental health, and self-care, while still leading a groundbreaking health-tech company.


(00:01:00) From Dietitian to Tech CEO: Building Culina Health

  • Why Vanessa decided to take insurance when most dietitians catered only to the elite
  • How COVID opened doors for telehealth and scaled her business to $1M in under a year
  • The bold move that got Blue Cross Blue Shield on her cap table — a first in the industry
  • Her mindset shift: every investor “no” was just practice for the next “yes”


(00:10:30) Cancer, Entrepreneurship, and the Cost of External Validation

  • The overlooked symptom that led to Vanessa’s breast cancer diagnosis
  • Raising $10M in venture funding while undergoing treatment — and why she now calls it “f***ing stupid”
  • How avoidance, anxiety, and resentment crept in post-diagnosis
  • The power of saying “no” as a complete sentence


(00:17:00) Back to Basics: Nutrition, Myths, and Mental Health

  • Why she believes restrictive diets like keto miss the bigger picture
  • The truth about protein, fasting, and why micro-counting often backfires
  • How Vanessa balances Doritos, home-cooked meals, and plant-based principles
  • Nutrition as behavior change, not just “eat more vegetables”


(00:29:00) Therapy, Caregiving, and Whole-Person Healing

  • How Culina Health integrates with physicians and therapists for 360° care
  • The role of dietitians in eating disorder recovery and mental health support
  • Why therapy for caregivers is just as important as therapy for patients
  • Vanessa’s own two-therapist system: one for trauma, one for feelings


(00:35:00) Menopause, Midlife, and Finding Joy

  • Her experience with medically induced menopause and brain fog 
  • Why women need different strategies after 35 
  • How AI is reshaping the future of nutrition and health-tech
  • The freedom of midlife: smaller circles, more joy, and living on your own terms


Thanks for the support from our partners, including:


Guest Resources



If this episode moved you, please consider supporting The Big Silence Foundation and exploring our resources:

Connect with The

Dr. Nadine Macaluso on Trauma Bonds: How to Spot Love-Bombing, Set Boundaries, and Heal

Dr. Nadine Macaluso on Trauma Bonds: How to Spot Love-Bombing, Set Boundaries, and Heal

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Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What happens when the “perfect” relationship is powered by control, confusion, and intermittent kindness?



In this powerful conversation, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, somatic psychologist and author of Run Like Hell, breaks down trauma bonds. She explains why love-bombing feels so intoxicating at first, and how to rebuild trust in yourself after leaving a toxic dynamic. We cover red flags, green flags, co-parenting with a difficult ex, and why “boring” can actually mean safe, steady, and good.


How do you recognize when love turns into control, and find the courage to walk away from a trauma bond?


Escaping toxic cycles isn’t just about leaving the situation. It’s about relearning safety, trusting your own signals, and choosing peace over chaos.


(00:26) Origin Story & Reinvention at Any Age

  • Going back to school at 39 and finishing a doctorate at 45 proves reinvention is possible at any age
  • How early exposure to feelings and psychology sparked Nadine’s path
  • Therapy as a lifeline when chaos became overwhelming


(04:03) Love-Bombing & Early Red Flags

  • The intoxicating “soulmate” language and excessive attention of love-bombing
  • Why mismatched words and actions are an early signal to notice
  • Tuning into your body’s warning signs when something feels off


(07:09) What a Trauma Bond Really Is

  • Two defining conditions: intermittent abuse and a power imbalance
  • How Nadine’s Trauma Bonds Assessment and the Big Five test can offer clarity
  • Why it’s critical to drop self-blame and focus on prevention


(11:20) Healing Timeline, Boundaries & Green Flags

  • Why healing from a trauma bond takes about two years
  • The relief of “I hear you” as a sign of safety
  • Quick red flags to avoid: boundary-plowing, sudden rage, and chronic inconsistency


(21:50) Co-Parenting, Somatic Tools & Choosing Peace

  • Co-parenting from authenticity instead of rebellion or people-pleasing
  • How to track emotions somatically—where feelings live in the body
  • Reframing “boring” as safe, steady, and priceless for long-term peace


Thanks for the support from our partners:

Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/thebigsilence and enjoy a special discount on your first month.If you have any questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are licensed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation model, check out this FAQ: https://www.betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered/


Guest Resources

From Panic to Peace: Gabby Bernstein’s Playbook for Healing, Reparenting & Real Talk on Meds

From Panic to Peace: Gabby Bernstein’s Playbook for Healing, Reparenting & Real Talk on Meds

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if the breakdown you feared was actually the doorway to your greatest sense of peace?

In this transformative episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and Dear Gabby podcast host Gabby Bernstein. From uncovering repressed childhood trauma in her mid-30s to navigating postpartum depression with courage and honesty, Gabby shares the tools that helped her move from chaos to calm. She opens up about EMDR therapy, medication without shame, reparenting the inner child, and finding relief one step at a time. Whether you’re in the depths of anxiety, grieving a loss, or simply craving a gentler way to heal, Gabby’s wisdom offers both compassion and practical next steps.

How do you combine spiritual tools and evidence-based therapy to heal trauma without shame, guilt, or overwhelm?

Healing isn’t about being “fixed.” It’s about creating safety, awareness, and compassion so you can finally live in peace.


(02:06) Naming the Why Behind Patterns

  • Spirituality and sobriety can plant seeds, but trauma will still surface in anxiety, addiction, or control.
  • Memory of trauma can return much later in life; healing doesn’t require forcing recall.
  • Recognizing “what happened to me” instead of “what’s wrong with me” reframes the path forward.


(05:09) EMDR, Demystified

  • Bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, sounds) opens a safe “window of tolerance.”
  • Starting with a present trigger often links back to earlier wounds.
  • Small issues may shift quickly; deeper trauma requires more time but reduces triggers steadily.


(09:02) Postpartum Depression: When Meditation Isn’t Enough

  • Signs include panic attacks, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. This is biochemical, not a personal failing.
  • Antidepressants can create a baseline of safety so therapy becomes effective.
  • Meds are not a shortcut but a foundation; Gabby paired them with three therapy sessions a week.


(14:37) Grief Without Guilt

  • Approach grief in doses: feel some, then step back before re-engaging.
  • Notice when numbing shows up; honor it as a protective strategy.
  • Relief through TV, rest, or joy is part of healthy grieving, not a failure.


(18:51) Getting Unstuck: The 3-Question Inventory

  • After each trigger, ask: 1) What triggered me? 2) What do I feel? 3) How do I run from it?
  • Recognize patterns as protective, not personality flaws.
  • Writing it down builds compassion and creates room for change.


(20:30) Reparenting Yourself with the 4 S’s

  • Safe: Breathwork, sleep, and grounding to calm your nervous system.
  • Seen: Validate your wins and speak to yourself with compassion.
  • Soothed: Make therapy and support part of your routine.
  • Secure: Consistency builds an inner foundation of trust and resilience.


(24:54) Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Proceed with Care

  • Should only be done with trained clinicians under clinical guidelines.
  • Medication conflicts exist; research protocols carefully.
  • Curiosity is valid, but sobriety and safety must guide decisions.


(28:57) Resources & Next...

The End of Mental Illness? Dr. Daniel Amen on Brainhealth, Tiny Habits & Hope

The End of Mental Illness? Dr. Daniel Amen on Brainhealth, Tiny Habits & Hope

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Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

Could the secret to mental health be linked to brain health rather than what’s inside a pill bottle?



In this illuminating episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with world-renowned psychiatrist, brain health expert, and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Amen. With over 200,000 brain scans and decades of research, Dr. Amen is on a mission to end the stigma around mental illness by reframing it as brain health. Together, they dive into the real causes of depression, the daily habits that heal your brain, and the tiny shifts that can transform your life. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, negative thoughts, or burnout, this conversation will change how you see yourself—and your future.


Is Mental Illness Really a Brain Health Issue?

Dr. Amen challenges the outdated way psychiatry diagnoses mental illness and shows us how brain scans, nutrition, movement, and mindset can unlock the healing we’ve been searching for.


(00:00) Rethinking Mental Illness: It Starts with the Brain

  • Why psychiatric diagnoses haven’t evolved since the 1800s and what needs to change
  • Depression is like “chest pain”: why we must ask why before we treat
  • How Dr. Amen divides depression and anxiety into seven different types
  • The four “circles” of health: biological, psychological, social, and spiritual

(05:28) What Brain Scans Reveal That Doctors Miss

  • The difference between brain structure scans (MRI, CT) and SPECT scans
  • Why PTSD and traumatic brain injury need different treatments, and how scans show the difference
  • The danger of misdiagnosing a “busy brain” vs. a “sleepy brain”
  • Why more information is always better when it comes to treatment

(08:22) Brain Health Habits Anyone Can Start Today

  • Dr. Amen’s three essentials: brain envy, avoiding what hurts, and doing what helps
  • Why alcohol and marijuana are not brain-friendly, despite cultural messaging
  • The shocking truth about body weight and brain size/function
  • How media and marketing feed mental illness

(13:37) Social Media, Sleep & The Digital Brain Drain

  • How social media thins your brain’s cortex and lowers self-esteem
  • Why more online “connection” often leads to greater loneliness
  • Sleep as one of the most underrated brain health tools
  • How Dr. Amen balances his social media presence with mental wellness

(15:59) Tiny Habits, Big Shifts: Healing Your Brain Daily

  • The simple nightly practice that rewires your brain for positivity
  • Why accurate self-talk beats blind positivity
  • The “ANTs”: automatic negative thoughts and how to kill them
  • Meditation and chanting as proven brain boosters

(24:56) Hydration, Food & Loving What Loves You Back

  • Why just 2% dehydration can wreck your focus and coordination
  • The story of Nancy, who transformed her life by starting with hydration
  • No more fruit juice, and what to do instead
  • Secret #4 from You, Happier: Love food that loves you back

(30:11) A Mission Too Big for One Person

  • Dr. Amen on founding the Change Your Brain Foundation
  • Why infectious diseases like Lyme may play a role in schizophrenia
  • Karena shares how changing her mother’s diet extended her life by five years
  • Why the fight for brain health is a mission for all of us


Guest...

Love, Loss & Looking IRL: Stephanie Fischer on Resilience, Humor & Finding Your Person

Love, Loss & Looking IRL: Stephanie Fischer on Resilience, Humor & Finding Your Person

Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!

Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawn

What if modern dating wasn’t done with your thumb?

In this refreshing episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Stephanie Fischer, attorney-turned-tech CEO of NeverMissed, a proximity-based dating app designed to get you off your phone and into real life, safely.

From a hilariously infamous childhood story to caregiving through cancer, and building a women-led tech company, Stephanie serves up honest, witty, and deeply practical wisdom on love, boundaries, burnout, and choosing yourself.

What if the healthiest way to date is to close the app and look up?

By stripping away the endless swipes and curated profiles, Stephanie argues that confidence, clarity, and community are built in person, one real conversation at a time.

(00:00) Why “in‑person first” dating matters

  • NeverMissed’s premise: check in at your current location and only see others who’ve opted in there. Meet IRL, then put the phone down.
  • Control & safety: you decide when you’re visible, you can check out anytime, and profiles are photo‑verified to be the real you.
  • The point isn’t more messaging. It’s better matching energy in the room, not just in the feed.


(01:58) Only‑Child Resilience & a Sense of Humor (The infamous pool story)

  • Early chaos taught self‑advocacy: “Being ‘so mature’ was a response to chaos, not a compliment.”
  • Humor as a coping tool: the infamous urologist‑dad pool becomes a lifelong icebreaker and puts a lens on embarrassment and identity.
  • Takeaway: Name the chaos, keep the humor, and own your story—it stops owning you.


(09:04) Reinvention at 30: Leaving the Comfort Zone

  • Left Dallas for DC to break stagnant patterns: if your environment doesn’t support growth, change the room.
  • Dating “decades” shift: bars → questionnaires → intentionality.
  • Action: Audit your current circle & city: Do they match who you’re becoming? If not, move or shake up routines.


(16:31) How NeverMissed Works (and Why It’s Different)

  • Opt‑in visibility only when you check in at a venue; no searchable database.
  • “Fleeting Moments”: post a sighting (“saw you at…”) to reconnect; uses simple descriptors to help find the person.
  • Goal: to complement other apps, not replace them. Meet people doing what you already love (gym, tennis, concerts).


(20:40) Female CEO in Tech: Owning Assertiveness

  • Navigating “men are talking” energy with receipts: you pay the bills, you set the tone.
  • Reframe “bitchy” → clear, paid, and prepared; assertiveness ≠ aggression.
  • Tip: Put decisions and boundaries in writing; lead with outcomes and timelines.


(31:49) Caregiving Without Losing Yourself

  • Cared for mom and now dad: same love, different game plan.
  • Labs don’t lie: cortisol, hormones, sleep. If you don’t delegate, your body will.
  • Action: Create a care team (siblings, friends, hospital resources); schedule your appointments first each month.


(40:56) Dating‑App Burnout: Getting Your Hope Back

  • Ditch the artificial timeline (“married by 28”); Stephanie married at 39; right person, right time.
  • Know yourself → know your filter. Less noise = better choices.
  • Micro‑goal: 1 real‑life conversation per week (bookstore, class, coffee line). Momentum beats swiping.


(43:59) First‑Date Playbook: Safety + Chemistry

  • Meet in public somewhere you...

Bio of The Big Silence

The Big Silence is a podcast hosted by Karena Dawn, a mental health advocate, wellness entrepreneur, co-founder of Tone It Up, and New York Times bestselling author. 

The Big Silence is dedicated to normalizing conversations around mental health and empowering individuals to transform their challenges into triumphs. In this podcast, Karena creates a safe space for sharing personal stories and encourages listeners to do the same.

Karena's own life has been marked by profound grief and trauma. Growing up with a mother diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, she experienced a childhood filled with traumatic events, leading to repressed emotions of guilt, shame, depression, and ultimately, a suicide attempt. 

Despite the darkness she faced, Karena found a profound sense of joy. Through The Big Silence, she aims to help others discover that same joy within themselves.

The podcast features in-depth conversations with psychologists, spiritual leaders, public figures, friends, and individuals impacted by mental health conditions, whether personally or through their loved ones. 

By shedding light on these experiences and breaking the silence surrounding mental health, The Big Silence seeks to dismantle the stigma and create opportunities for healing.

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Podcasts

United States

Secret 2 My Success is a dynamic podcast hosted by Allen Bornstein, Luis Alicea, and Dawn Lee.

Enterprise Podcast Network (EPN), formerly known as the Entrepreneur Podcast Network.

"SaaS Nordic" is a podcast hosted by Daniel Nackovski.

Real Estate (Un)Success Stories is a podcast presented by Vendue Capital.

Podcasts

United States

The "HBR IdeaCast" is a prestigious weekly podcast offered by the Harvard Business Review.

Beyond Success Podcast, hosted by Daniel Mangena.

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