LET IT OUT

This week, I talked with my friend Christy Harrison, host of Food Psych and Rethinking Wellness, about becoming a mom for the second time. When I'm in the midst of a big change, I often go to her for advice. I've had the privilege of watching her evolve in her career and life with a level of poise I endlessly admire.

We talked about how both experiences of motherhood changed her relationship with ambition, why there's no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to timelines and fertility, or how to return to work after a major life change...

This week I spoke with Mimi Bouchard, founder of Activations. We covered neuroplasticity, habit stacking, trusting your intuition, why authenticity fuels innovation, and how Mimi grew her business through word of mouth and focusing on 10x opportunities instead of 2x improvements.

LINKS AND SHOW NOTES

This week, I spoke with Grace Abbott, founder of How To Go Freelance, about turning the skills you already have into a career, and how to modernize an existing business or brand without blowing it all up.

We covered procrastination, niching down without shrinking yourself, making your work more visible, and knowing when to let go of clients, projects, and identities that have become too small. Grace also makes the case for trusting your soft skills, research, and taste in a changing job market and explains why sometimes the biggest thing standing between you and your next...

This week on COMEBACKS, I spoke with Elizabeth Schild Kott, host of Too Niche and founder of Club Artist Way, about starting over and how stopping is the most important part of figuring out what's next. We talked about the changing internet, creativity, jealousy, unfinished ideas, getting quiet enough to hear your intuition, and why sometimes the best comeback is simply putting one foot in front of the other.

LINKS AND SHOWNOTES

From a marriage she knew was ending long before she admitted it to a 48-hour move from Silicon Valley to New York, Amber Rae and I talk about why some of us stay too long while others leap too fast. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re honoring your instincts or just avoiding discomfort, this conversation is for you.

You’ll discover:

This week, I sat down with Cosmic RX founder Madi Murphy. I met her when I wandered into the coffee shop she owned in Brooklyn nearly a decade ago, and since then, she’s launched her own show, The Cosmic RX, published her first book, and started a family.

Madi’s comeback began when she decided to leave behind her brick-and-mortar businesses, stepping out of her comfort zone and into what she calls the “Cosmic Zone.” We talk about her trademark dispute with Starbucks over a drink she created, the public backlash that followed, and how that experien...

This week's conversation is with musician and writer Greta Morgan.

Greta spent years touring professionally, including with Vampire Weekend, before losing her singing voice after developing a rare neurological voice disorder. We talk about grief, identity, creativity, silence, what healing actually means, and how sometimes the comeback isn't getting your old life back, it's building a new one you never would have planned.

This conversation is thoughtful, grounding, and one I'll be thinking about for a long time. Let us know if you listen. 

Show Notes/Resources:

This week, I'm re-airing a conversation from the archives with designer Norma Kamali, whose 50-year career is as rich as her designs are iconic — and who, fittingly for the COMEBACKS SERIES, lost her entire company and built it all back. We get into her thoughts on her evolving industry, upcoming generations, falling in love at 65, and why experience is your greatest asset. She gently gives me advice, and shares the motto that's carried her through building her career more than once: The more you do, the more you can do.

Show notes:

This week I spoke with career coach, author of Directional Living, and my longtime friend Megan Hellerer. What started as a conversation about her book turned into a conversation about grief, endings, iteration, and what happens when you've outgrown a version of your life.

We talk about directional living versus destination living, why clarity comes through action, the importance of self-honesty, productivity as a form of avoidance, and how to navigate the uncomfortable in-between when you know something needs to change but aren't sure what's next.

In the second act of this episode, Megan ends...

This is the second episode of the COMEBACKS series, featuring Liz Tran. I loved getting to talk with her again in this new format.

In this episode, Liz shares her experience with divorce, reinvention, dating, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life when the version you planned for falls apart. We talk about how loneliness can transform you when you stop trying to outrun it, the ways avoidance can masquerade as productivity, AQ (adaptability quotient), timelines, and learning to trust that your life can expand in ways you never could have planned for.

...

In this first episode of the new COMEBACKS series, I spoke with my longtime friend Jessica Murnane about reinvention, knowing when to move on, and why I tend to linger in the past too long. We talk about creative pivots, grief around letting go, and starting again—without forcing it. Jess shares how she’s built multiple careers, moved cities, why she’s not nostalgic, and the simple question she always comes back to when she’s stuck: What are you waiting for? Let us know if you listen.

Key Insights: 

This week, a very important person in my life—Sacha Jones—hosts the podcast. Every year for nearly a decade Sacha has come back on to host the episode the last week of April (the week of my birthday). This year she really outdid herself: she shocks me with questions sourced from my friends and family and a special guest joins us to host a special rapid-fire round. 

Sacha is one of the most creative, wise, and gentle people I know and our annual catch-ups end up being time capsules of what we’re leaning this year. Prior t...

This week I spoke with Kyle (Smiling Strange) about generations, the internet then vs. now, how we discover music as we grow up, and what it takes to keep evolving instead of calcifying with age.

We talk about his process of making videos while walking around his neighborhood, why authenticity cuts through the algorithm, and how culture is shifting faster than we can keep up.

This one is eclectic—it goes from music to the internet to creativity to philosophy (and even economics). Kyle is super interesting and fun to talk to, and I left th...

This week I spoke with Emmalea Russo about her novel Vivienne, the strange experience of putting art into the world right now, and what it means to create something that doesn’t try to make everyone comfortable. We talk about cancel culture, ’90s nostalgia, the difference between information and truth, discomfort in art (and growth), and how dreams can act as an antidote to the algorithmic age.

This one gets a little philosophical—we go from astrology to internet culture to the writing process to dreams—so buckle up. Let us know if you listen ⭐️

Show No...

This is part two of my conversation with herbalist and writer Rachelle Robinett, recorded live in LA in a very intimate room full of friends while talking about her book Naturally.

In this part, we get into our favorite themes from her book: pleasure, pain,  transformation, grief, and the ways creative expression helps us process. We also talk about sleep hygiene, the connection between slowing down and self-awareness, why knowing the state you’re trying to shift matters before reaching for anything, and how herbalism can help when you know what you’re actually seeking. Toward the end...

This week is a little different: usually I’m the one asking the questions, but this time I’m on the other side. My friend Sophie had me on as the first guest to her new podcast, Late to the Party, where she interviewed me. This conversation ended up feeling surprisingly cathartic and was the most honest I’ve ever been while being recorded. She gave me a container to share and her genuine interest, thoughtful questions, and care gave me the confidence to open up about things I haven't.

This episode fills in a lot of the st...

This week I spoke with herbalist and writer Rachelle Robinett about her new book, Naturally, and some of my favorite ideas inside it: dopamine, novelty, primal motivation and strategies to regulate our nervous systems. We also talk about how the ways we distract ourselves are often attempts at a change in state and how knowing what type of state change we’re craving can help us determine not only which herb to work with, but what the desire under the craving actually is. We get into her favorite herb, how she uses it as an alternative to alcohol, as we...

This week I talked to attorney and writer Savala Nolan. Her newest book, Good Woman, which was named a Most Anticipated Feminist Book of 2026 by Ms. Magazine, is out now.

I got to read an early copy and loved it. She writes with raw honesty about making herself smaller, both literally and metaphorically, in order to be a good daughter, a good wife, a good mother, and all the ways she allowed herself to be diminished to keep the peace, and how many others do this too. The 12 essays blend cultural commentary, personal experience, reportage, and history.<...

This week, I’m joined again by emotional eating expert Tricia Nelson. This time, we explore the intricate connection between emotional eating and romantic relationships. We talk about how emotional responsibility includes becoming aware of the ways food struggles can impact intimacy and communication in relationships.

We also discuss how isolation can intensify emotional eating, why connection and honesty are essential to healing, and the underlying reasons food becomes a coping mechanism. Tricia shares practical ways she has helped people shift these deep-rooted patterns, including how processing, expressing, and communicating how we’re feeling is essential to chan...

My close friend Christine came over on New Year’s Day and we caught up on what’s ahead. We talk about friendship, big life transitions, and the constant evolution we all experience. She’s candid about how she’s changed creatively, professionally, and personally, including navigating freelance work amid uncertainty, and her excitement about becoming a parent and how pregnancy has unexpectedly fueled her productivity. We reflect on our last interviews, what she’s learned since, and the importance of staying adaptable. She’s quietly shown me how to move through change with poise and loved getting to have a time...

*This episode originally aired in 2017. I made a new intro/ reaction to it. It's my first conversation ever with my now very dear friend. Look out for an updated conversation between us next week. 

January 2017

Today's conversation is one of the rare occasions where I make a friend live on the podcast. This conversation exceeded my expectation of what Christine would be like live. She was every bit as thoughtful, earnest, and wise as she comes off in the hundreds of YouTube videos she's published. Christine went to film school and simultaneously began on YouTube w...

In this episode, I talk with author and emotional-eating expert Tricia Nelson about why we turn to food for comfort, what emotional eating actually is (it’s not about willpower), and how to build a life that makes late-night kitchen raids less inevitable. We get into compulsions, body image, aging, intimacy, the “tiger out of the cage” metaphor, and why healing has way more to do with buried feelings and stress patterns than with food itself. It’s an honest, tender conversation about breaking cycles, lowering pressure, and learning to feel instead of numb.

Show Notes | Resources | Mentions...

What Happens When You Actually Feel Feelings Instead of Avoiding Them? This week, I spoke with Jessica Gill about this. She's the Chief Content Officer at To Be Magnetic, about creativity, expansion, and what it really means to feel your feelings. We talked about grief, nostalgia, career ruts, rock bottoms, and how to get unstuck by doing the opposite of what you usually do. Jessica shares practical tools for raising self-worth, letting go of the past, and reconnecting to radical authenticity. If you’ve ever felt in limbo or like your old shell doesn’t fit anymore, this one will...

*This episode originally aired in 2018, re-airing it today in honor of Lacy's new book. And look out of an updated conversation between us later this week. 

In in late 2017 a friend mentioned a workshop she’d  attended in New York led by Lacy. After hearing about her experience, I was intrigued, yet slightly apprehensive because after years of obsession and addiction to all things personal-growth, spirituality, and manifestation I was at a point where I was exhausted by content even in the vicinity of self-help. Despite my trepidation I checked out Lacy's work and several hours later, I wa...

*This episode originally aired in 2018, re-airing it today in honor of Lacy's new book. And look out for an updated conversation between us later this week. 

In late 2017, a friend mentioned a workshop she’d attended in New York led by Lacy. After hearing about her experience, I was intrigued, yet slightly apprehensive because after years of obsession and addiction to all things personal-growth, I was at a point where I was exhausted by content even in the vicinity of self-help. Despite my trepidation, I checked out Lacy's work. From her style and aesthetic to her framework and...

This week I spoke with longtime activist and author Dean Spade about the complexities of relationships and the challenges we face in a society shaped by disposability culture. We discussed the fear of being wrong in public and of conflict and feedback. He spoke about why self-help often falls short in addressing systemic issues and shared some insights from his latest book, Love in a F*cked Up World, which offers practical advice on navigating personal growth and connection in a world that often feels isolating and disconnected. I loved both the book and this conversation. Let us know...

This week, I talked to interior designer Cooper Osinski. He shared what makes a space feel personal, how he balances his style with client work, and how he developed his taste and style while navigating trends. We also discussed his intentional approach to growing an online presence on YouTube and how he stays thoughtful and constructive when offering design commentary. Cooper was as warm and inviting as the spaces he creates, and he offered heaps of practical, accessible tips—including small design fixes that make a big impact. Whether you're deep into design or just curious, he makes the wo...

This week, I talk to business strategist Abbi Miller about navigating pivots in both personal and professional life. Abbi was on the podcast five years ago, and her perspective on time management, which she calls Time Pessimism, is a concept I’ve found helpful ever since. Since then, much has changed for her both personally and collectively (including becoming a mom). In this episode, we catch up on everything she’s learned since then, including how to work with the muse when it strikes and how she sets up systems to support that flow. We also discuss how to deal...

This week, I talk to Erin Claire Jones, one of the world’s leading experts in Human Design. She talks about her journey from skeptically discovering it at a party to now writing a book (How Do You Choose) about how we can use our design to make better decisions in relationships and career. Erin also shares how these principles have transformed her life, and we explore how they can be used by anyone, even those just beginning to learn about the system.

I first discovered her grounded approach to Human Design when I was gifted a pe...

LA-based artist Christopher DeLoach and I talked about his path from class clown to intrepid traveler—walking the Appalachian Trail—to becoming an artist and creating the iconic bumper stickers you know and love. He shares a series of surreal encounters while hitchhiking, including rides with enigmatic characters that challenged his worldview. Our conversation spans time—from his childhood in NYC to adventures in his early 20s and how both continue to shape him today. We talked about identity, American culture, his painting process, collecting ideas, funding and sustaining a career in LA, becoming known for something, doubt, belief, and ev...

This is the second half of my conversation with my friend Blu Most, an artist who has worked in food styling, creative direction, and event design. We get into ADHD habits, community for freelancers, her best advice on relationships and anxiety, and how aging changes our perspective on it all. If you missed part 1 last week, we talked about embracing creative cycles, the tension between financial security and artistic fulfillment, and how personal branding intersects with authenticity.

Show notes:

- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout

- Find Blu on the Web | I...

In this first part of my conversation with the brilliant and wildly creative Blu Most, we dive into the life of a self-proclaimed “ideas person” and explore what it means to be a jack-of-all-trades. Blu shares her experience through art, food styling, creative direction, and event design—embracing creative cycles and navigating the tension between financial security and artistic fulfillment. We also get into stepping away from Instagram, marketing to niche communities, and how personal branding intersects with authenticity. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we get into ADHD habits, community for freelancers, shifting towards intimate gatherings, her best advice on rel...

"What's your greatest lesson on romantic relationships?" is a question I've asked in most every episode. This week, with the help of a few favorite guests, I attempt to answer it. It's the first time in 12 years that I've ever done a brief episode... brevity is not my strong suit so don't get used to it... but I hope you like it! It features: Kristin Hanggi, Cody Cook-Parrott, Robyn Kanner, Rachelle Robinett, Jessica Ciencin Henriquez, Mari Andrew, Jon Marro, Neada Deters, and Yoke Lore. Let me know if you listen : )

Show Notes:

- Breakups Kits !!  + +  ph...

In honor of Valentine’s Day it’s an episode about what I know best: romantic love… just kidding it’s about breakups! It's a variety show from 2019 where I compiled all of the times (up until then) I spoke with guests on how heartbreak, grief, and sadness can lead to growth. I play some of my favorite clips from my conversations with  founder of To Be Magnetic, Lacy Phillips, herbalist at Supernatural, Rachelle Robinett,  author Sara Avant Stover, dancer and writer Cody Cook-Parrott, illustrator Mari Andrew, Yoke Lore, and more ... it sounds like a bummer of an episode but it was...

I thought it would be fun to do a year-in-review of the music of 2024 with my friend James McCrae. Neither of us are music experts, but we’re constantly sharing music with each other. James first came on the show in 2020, when we did a similar review of the music from that wild quarantine year when artists weren’t touring and we all missed live shows. Fast forward to 2024, and we chat about what we've noticed over the last five years, including the changes in the music industry, trends we've seen, and of course, what we’ve had on repeat...

This week I spoke with Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Stevens, co-hosts of the Romanistan podcast. I talked to them about the tragic fires in LA and their advice on navigating dark times and finding personal and collective resilience. They shared advice on healing and self-care during crises, looking at the tarot card of the year, what they do when they're feeling uninspired or creatively blocked, embracing resilience, and the importance of bringing diverse perspectives to ancient traditions. Their new book, Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling, introduces the history of the Romani people and their long-standing relationship with fortune-telling, exploring...

Ready to take a fresh path to self-discovery? Every Monday, Jemma brings you a new mantra, breaking it down to show you how you can apply it to your own life. Whether you’re facing a major transition or looking to evolve your everyday routine, Mantra is the podcast for you. Join Jemma every week for reflections, practical tips, and personal insights that’ll inspire you to live with intention and unlock your true potential. Follow “Mantra with Jemma Sbeg” wherever you get your podcasts.

**This is part two of last week’s conversation with Dr. Patti, which was recorded prior to the devastating fires in LA. A list of resources is in the show notes below.**

Dr. Patti Kim is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Los Angeles. She’s also my close friend, one of my favorite people to talk to. She came over on New Year’s Day to talk about our end-of-year rituals, including journaling prompts and ins and outs. We also get into self-awareness vs. integration, natural cycles, delighting in the discomfort of being human, and trends in wel...

Dr. Patti Kim is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Los Angeles. She’s also my close friend, one of my favorite people to talk to. She came over on New Year’s Day to talk about our end-of-year rituals, including journaling prompts and ins and outs. We also get into self-awareness vs. integration, natural cycles, delighting in the discomfort of being human, and trends in wellness. Plus longevity in every sense of the word, from her career to our aging bodies, parents and pets.

I’m splitting this into two parts so come back next week for mo...

This week I spoke to Ashley Stahl, a counterterrorism professional turned international bestselling author and Forbes contributor. Not only is Ashley a TEDx speaker herself, she's now a highly sought-after TEDx speechwriter and CEO of her agency Wise Whisper, which helps people craft impactful talks and get booked on major stages. Ashley opens up about navigating the liminal spaces of life, where clarity is elusive, and how discipline plays a crucial role in finding your next elegant idea. Together, we discuss creative pivots, the value of storytelling, and embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

S...