We Are The Stigma

Cody & Melissa are chatting with The Human Builder, Mac Brazina and the interview quickly blooms into a brilliant conversation. The co-hosts are inspired, encouraged, and blown away by Mac’s positive attitude and passionate message. If you’re looking to reignite the fire within your soul, this is the episode for YOU!  Join us as we learn there we all transform from the inside, out.“Mac Lives in integrating science, with candid human connection and mysticism. Bridging the gap between the questions that hold us back. As a compassionate guide, mentor and coach, Mac nurtures the evolution of each individual with utter confidentiality, non-judgment and dedication to uniqueness of each human - one rep at a time”Follow Mac on Instagram @the_human_builder On Facebook @TheHumanBuilderCoach & Twitter @human_builder Check out her blog The Other 23 And be sure to head over to her website HumanBuilder.com -The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! -As always share with others,

Episode 20 of Season 2!! Mels & Codes are chatting with writer, speaker & recovering alcoholic, Gary Chattaway! Gary shares the ins & outs of his addiction along with the relapses & lessons he's learned over the years. Since putting down the bottle, Gary has picked up the pen in hopes of sharing what he wishes he knew back then. Helping others on their sober paths has become a driving force in Gary's life, and we are here for it! This episode reminds us, there is no one way to recover, we're all doing the best we can to change the world, one day at a time.You can grab a free copy of Gary's book The Human Glitch, #1 in the alcoholism genre, at Amazon.com The Human Glitch is a short, sharp but compelling representation of a 24 hour period within the life of an addict.Currently, as well as involvement with number personal clients, themselves new to the recovery process, Gary is also working through the 198,000 words of his latest manuscript, which it’s expected, will help read

Melissa & Cody are back from Summer Break and chatting with the super inspirational Tyler Hall! 27-year-old Tyler is a recovering dieter, a holistic health and wellness coach, and the founder of Radically Transformed Coaching. Tyler’s mission in life is to help chronic dieters ditch their diets for good, so they can live happy healthy lives. Of course, we talk so much more than dieting! We discuss bullying, coming out friends & family, depression, difficult relationships with loved ones, and the destruction left behind by meth addiction, these are the moments that lead Tyler to his personal, radical transformation. We also discuss toxic dieting & physical fitness, and intuitive/mindful eating! You will laugh, you will learn, and, as always, you will be inspired. Find Tyler on Instagram @radicallytransformedcoachingConnect with him on Facebook @ Radically Transformed CoachingAnd visit his website radicallytransformedcoaching.comThe best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star

On this mid-season finale, Melissa & Cody are celebrating The Summer Of DJ Bob! DJ Bob is a podcaster, writer, and cerebral palsy advocate. As he celebrates his 10 year anniversary of his podcast, The DJ Bob Show! DJ Bob shares how his show started, some of his favorite stories, and what the future holds. Cerebral palsy tried to hold him back, but Bob Runkel never gave up! Through his humorous stories and positive attitude, you will find passion, inspiration, and motivation like none other! This interview was a perfect end to the first half of season 2 of We Are The Stigma! We'll be back with all-new episodes on August 17th, we love you, and as always, thanks for listening!Follow DJ Bob on Instagram & FacebookRead “How Podcasting With a Disability Had Helped Me” on The Mighty Find The DJ Bob show here or on iTunesThe best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-

An Instagram post by former guest, Pete On Repeat, had Melissa & Cody thinking.. staying sober during the uncertainties of 2020, is no simple feat. Addicts & Alcoholics (sober or attempting sobriety) deserve some legit recognition right now. Quarantine has provided lots of time to face one's demons, while COVID itself has us scared and unsure! Staying sober right now is a true blessing, but it can also be really effing hard. However sober you are & however you're doing it.. we see you, we honor you, we are you..after all, We Are The Stigma xox Check out Pete's post here The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!Thanks for listening!! Xox

***Please be advised: the topics discussed in this episode can be triggering. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your local crisis center**This week, Cody & Melissa are speaking to Rachel Nolan, a survivor of postpartum psychosis & and an advocate for maternal mental health. Rachel vulnerably shares her mental health story, and while there are some deep dark bottoms, you better bet there is beauty to be found. This episode isn’t just for women who will become mothers, this episode is for EVERYONE. It’s a story about battling your demons, advocating for your mental health, and refusing to give up. This episode will also teach you the signs to look for in your loved ones who may be fighting their own silent war. Remember, the outside persona we present isn’t always the authentic one. Rachel is a survivor of postpartum psychosis and is not afraid to speak out about her struggle in order to help other women overcome postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.You c

In episode 15 Melissa & Cody chat with Alex Rigby, a 30-year-old biracial man from San Diego, living in New Mexico. The trio talk about the current state of affairs in the United States, and Alex's experiences with racism in his own life. We are reminded that that every single one of us has something to add to the conversation, and that we all share different experiences but many of the lessons are the same. And when it comes to fighting racism, we must work from the inside out.  You can follow Alex on Instagram @a_rigby22 You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Thanks for listening!! xox

It's Pride Month and we're talking with Julian Gavino, AKA The Disabled Hippie! Julian is a 25-year-old life coach, writer, model, and advocate. He has a community on Instagram where he shares his journey as a transgender man and his life long journey with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) He's open and inspirational af. We talk about his transition, living with EDS and the calling he can't escape. Cody & Melissa learn that the only thing stopping us from achieving what we want, is ourselves. His writing is beautiful, be sure to check out his Instagram @thedisabledhippie  The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!Thanks for listening!! xox

In this 10 min Monday, Melissa & Cody know an uncomfortable conversation needs to be had. They talk about why, as white people, racism is so difficult to discuss & discuss the actions we need to start taking. It's time for us to shut our mouths and open our ears. This is NOT a political conversation, it's about human rights. This is a very powerful resource for you to save and use https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S5uckFHCA_XZkxG0Zg5U4GQGbY_RklZARwu43fqJH0E/mobilebasic We have highlighted certain resources below:Get Honest With Yourself:Use these writing prompts to get honest with yourself http://leesareneehall.com/expressivewriting-prompts-to-use-if-youve-been-accused-of-whitefragility-spiritualbypass-or-whiteprivilege/Watch this video on where to start and how to acknowledging racism https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyhBlRgd0j/Start difficult conversations:With your kids: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/31/how-talk-kids-racism-racial-violence-police-brutality/5288065002/ W

In episode 12 Cody Kreutz interviews LCSW, Amber Holt to discuss all things harm reduction, from seat belts to clean needle exchange. Being in programs of substance abstinence themselves, Melissa & Cody held their own beliefs around harm reduction therapy and substance use, thanks to compassionate people like Amber, they have had their walls broken down and are so excited to delve deeper into this controversial topic. Amber discusses how she initially discovered her passion for harm reduction therapy, different types of harm reduction and the unnecessary stigmas it is tied to. The message is simple - Together, with a little compassion and education, we can save lives. As always, drop your per-conceived ideas, open your minds, and enjoy this thought provoking and heartfelt conversation.Please Be Advised this episode talks openly about self-harm.Amber Holt is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience working with people who struggle with addiction and mental health concerns. She believes in treatin

In episode 11 the co-hosts share a deeply vulnerable conversation with Ameé Quiriconi from the highly impactful podcast, One Broken Mom.  Early along her motherhood journey, Ameé experienced firsthand what passing down trauma from generation to generation looked like. Feeling like she was failing as a mother while becoming an empty version of herself,  Ameé decides to abandon motherhood. For nearly seven years, she was the "Weekend Parent" until circumstances changed and she was given a life-changing decision - step up and return to motherhood - she said "Yes!" Amee is now healing herself, her children, and the hundreds of people who tune into her weekly podcast...Including your co-hosts. Melissa opens up about her struggle with postpartum depression and the lasting effect it's had on herself and her son. We cannot change what has happened to us, but we can change our present & future.  "Being a trauma-informed parent and a trauma-survivor is unspeakably hard and demanding. T

On this impromptu 10 Minute Monday, Cody & Melissa are holding space for those who may not celebrate Mothers Day. While the holiday can be loved-filled for some, they also recognize how difficult it can be for others. Those struggling to become mothers, we see you. If you have lost a child, we see you. Those who have lost their mother, left their mother, or simply don’t have a mother, we see you. And the single dads who have taken on motherhood, we see you too <3 Join the couple as they start the difficult conversation that needs to be had more. Sending all of our love xox-The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! & as always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

In episode 9 Cody chats with long time friend and head chef and owner of Amass Restaurant, Matthew Orlando, about responsible cooking and what the restaurant industry looks like in the times of Covid-19. Matt Orlando was born February 7, 1977 and raised in Encinitas, California. After working through the kitchens of San Diego, he decided to make the move to New York City, where he worked at Charlie Palmer’s Auerole for two years, before landing a position at Eric Ripert’s three-starred Michelin restaurant, Le Bernardin. After realizing his need to further refine his cooking skills, Matt moved to England to work both at Raymond Blanc’s two- starred Michelin restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Heston Blumenthal’s three- starred Michelin restaurant, The Fat Duck.It was while working at The Fat Duck that Matt met René Redzepi, owner and head chef of Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark. This chance meeting led to a two-year Sous Chef position at Noma, before Matt returned to New York City to take a Sous Chef positi

In episode 8, Melissa and Cody aim to break stigmas for the voiceless Pit Bull. The couple share a powerful conversation with French artist Sophie Gamand, an animal advocate and the creator of the photo series Pit Bull Flower Power. Sophie visits animal shelters and photographs shelter-dogs to help pups get adopted. To face her own fears, Sophie began creating beautiful flower crowns for Pit Bulls to wear, these photos ultimately let to Pit Bull Flower Power, which has become one of the most powerful tools in today’s pit bull advocacy worldwide. The trio discuss the stigmas of the Pit Bull, society's relationship with dogs in general, and what is next the creative Sophie herself.We are left asking ourselves 2 questions - what can we do to make a difference, and what beautiful thing will Sophie do next.Sophie Gamand is a French award-winning photographer and animal advocate living and working in New York. Since 2010, she has been focusing on dogs and our relationship with them. Sophie travels around the U

It’s the show’s one year anniversary, and your co-hosts are giddy with excitement! This episode is near and dear to Cody & Melissa’s hearts and they couldn’t wait to share it with the world! If you’re looking for inspiration, spiritual awakenings, and raising your energy to seek your purpose, look no further! This is Raising Your Frequency 101, taught by Kristina Furia, MS from Your New Frequency. Kristina spent the first ten years of her career as a mental health counselor and psychotherapist before realizing her true calling as a transformational teacher, speaker, and coach. With a Masters degree in clinical and counseling psychology as well as a certification in coaching, Kristina applies her diverse knowledge-set of the mind, body, and spirit to empower those she works with to lean into their true purpose, to be free of the confines of a harsh inner critic, and to experience each day as a unique gift.Whether you’re seeking a change like Melissa, or already deep in your awakening like Cody, there is mu

Please be advised, this episode touches on the topic of suicide.In this episode, the co-hosts dive into head trauma and addiction with fellow recovery advocate, Adam Danielson. Adam vulnerably shares his nearly fatal rock bottoms with addiction and alcoholism, until he finally sought recovery. Adam then had to acknowledge his alcohol use disorder and the head trauma that may have exasperated his substance abuse. Get ready for a deep conversation, as Adam tells his story of overcoming long odds to have over 3 years in recovery and live the beautiful life he lives today. This conversation is raw & real, and together the trio remember their individual struggles with shared laughs and understanding. Adam Danielson is a 33-year-old father, husband and recovery advocate. After a decade-long struggle with head injuries, alcoholism, and addiction, he found the strength to turn his life around. He now shares that strength with others and spends his time helping those struggling. He is the co-host of the recovery c

In Episode 4, Cody & Melissa share a beautiful conversation with the Feely Human, Nōn Wels. A fellow podcast host, Nōn shares about his eating disorder; the trauma, the battle, and his recovery journey. The trio openly discusses the stigmas that come along with male anorexia, undiagnosed depression, and anxiety. Nōn is a self-described feely human, and being a feely, vulnerable man is both beautiful and stigmatized, and Nōn is doing all that he can to connect on a deeper level with people from all walks of life. Join the couple as they find inspiration and growth through this one conversation, with this one beautiful human. In 2018, Nōn created the You, Me, Empathy podcast to give others a safe space to feel their feelings and share their stories of mental health, recovery, and personal triumph through eating disorders, mental illness, trauma, and myriad ebbs and flows this wild wonder we call life throws our way.And right now, Nōn is crowdfunding for the first phase of The Feely Human Collective—a collab

It's our second 10 min Monday and we're tackling Labor & Delivery! As Melissa's due date quickly approaches, the co-hosts decide there's no better time to discuss the beautiful - and not so beautiful - parts of birth. The couple reminisce on their past child birth experiences, discuss cultural traditions and ask themselves how something so natural is seen by most of society as rather unnatural! NSFW these 10 mins leave nothing unexposed! After all, our 10 Minute Mondays are all about having uncomfortable conversations!Have an idea for a 10 Min Monday?? Send us a message! We'd love to hear from you!!! You can find us on all social media platforms Facebook, Instagram & Twitter! Wanna be a guest on our show? Email us at wearethestigma@gmail.comThanks for listening!! xox  

Season 2, Episode 2 and we're discussing all things BDSM with Molly Lazarus.  This topic has been an anticipated one and Melissa & Cody are ready to dive right in, but where to start?! Luckily, Molly is patient, educated, and passionate and the conversation quickly blooms into something beautiful. Leave behind your misconceptions and open your minds as we tackle role playing, dominance, submission, safe-words and stigmas. In the end can you guess what we really discover?? A community, the beauty in vulnerability, human connection and an inspiring story of living life out loud.  Molly Lazarus is a sexuality writer based in the Bay Area. She got her start as a kink-community organizer and shibari model in Osaka, Japan. She now specializes in articles and courses for adults looking to explore safely and consensually.The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.c

On our season premier, we go in depth with Gabrielle of Resilient Yoga and her story of surviving domestic violence. Gabrielle shares how she walked through her trauma, stepped into her power and now uses her pain to help & inspire others. Gabrielle teaches all of us about the stigmas and ways we can truly help people experiencing domestic violence. Domestic violence is as serious as it gets and we can all be better equipped to help and remove the stigmas surrounding it.  Gabrielle Baty was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. She is a 30-year-old mama to a handsome 7-year-old boy and beautiful 4-year-old girl. Gabby is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and licensed skin therapist. She is a domestic violence survivor turned thriver, spreading awareness as a member of the domestic violence speakers bureau and helping others thrive through the healing powers of yoga. You can follow Gabrielle on Instagram. If you or someone you know is affected by Domestic Violence please call the National Domestic Violence