Episodes

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Dr. Deb Butler, a life coach and former chiropractor who helps women navigate menopause, weight loss, emotional eating, and the physical and emotional challenges of midlife. Deb shares her personal and professional journey from chiropractic care to menopause coaching, offering insight into the root causes of why we eat and the connection between food, emotions, and weight. Together, Kevin and Deb explore why weight loss can be esp...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Keith, author of Ruta’s Closet, to discuss the powerful and heartbreaking true story of Ruth, a Lithuanian Jewish woman who endured the horrors of the Holocaust. Keith shares Ruth’s harrowing personal story while exploring the devastating history of the Holocaust in Lithuania, where an estimated 95–97% of Lithuanian Jews were murdered. Together, Kevin and Keith discuss why preserving and learning from history matters—especially ...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with John for a heartfelt conversation about grief, healing, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in preserving human connection. After experiencing the loss of three of the people closest to him, John shares how profound grief can reshape every aspect of life and why there is no universal timeline for healing. Kevin and John explore the emotional realities of loss, the importance of mental health, and the deeply personal...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with author Penelope to discuss her books, Still Here and A Walk with Everyone. Together, they explore her childhood, her career as a newspaper reporter, and the lifelong passion for writing that has shaped both her personal and professional journey. Kevin and Penelope also dive into the powerful family stories behind her work, including her collaboration with her mother on A Walk with Everyone and the profound influence of her fathe...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with author Kalyani to discuss her novel, The Invisible Canvas, and the deeply personal experiences thatinspired it. Together, they explore her childhood growing up as an immigrant, why she chose to tell her story through fiction rather than a traditional self-help book, and the universal mental health journey that shapes all of our lives. This thoughtful conversation dives into identity, resilience, healing, storytelling, and the powe...

In this milestone 200th episode of Behind Beautiful Things, the tables are turned as guest host Kelly—Kevin's sister (and, yes, a doctor!)—takes over the microphone to interview Kevin. Together, they reflect on Kevin's childhood, his lifelong creativity, the close bond they share as siblings, and how being raised by two strong women helped shape the person he is today. Along the way, Kelly shares stories from her life, making for a heartfelt, odd, and memorable conversation. Reaching 200 episo...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Kate for a powerful conversation about surviving religious trauma and the journey toward healing. Kate shares what it was like growing up in a deeply conservative Christian family, navigating the oppressive beliefs that shaped her early life, and coping with the devastating trauma caused by her father's crimes. With remarkable humility, honesty, and humor, Kate reflects on faith, deconstruction, resilience, and recovery while offe...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Paul, author of Forgiving Dr. Jekyll: From Hyde to Healing—A Memoir About Trauma, Recovery, and Regaining Control. Paul shares his deeply personal story of growing up in a dysfunctional family, navigating a painful relationship with his father, and desperately searching for a way to escape the trauma of his childhood. He also opens up about his battle with addiction, the challenges of recovery, and the transformative journey toward...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Emily to explore the powerful connection between mental health, childhood trauma, and healing. Emily shares her experience working with children in the mental health field, discusses the different types of trauma and their lasting impact, and offers insight into the journey of trauma recovery. Together, they also dive into the transformative role of creativity and art in the healing process, highlighting how creative expression can...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with author Julianna to discuss her powerful memoir, Life With Less of Me. Julianna shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, survival, and healing, offering an intimate look at the challenges that shaped her life. During their conversation, Julianna opens up about her traumatic childhood, the experiences that influenced her personal and professional path, and her battle with a devastating flesh-eating disease. She recounts the p...

This week on Behind Beautiful Things, we welcome author, speaker, Vietnam veteran, and former nurse Joe, whose book All Bones Considered: 52 Laurel Hill Women shines a light on the remarkable lives of women buried in Philadelphia's historic Laurel Hill Cemetery. In this fascinating conversation, Joe shares his journey from nursing and serving as a medic during the Vietnam War to becoming a nationally and internationally recognized speaker. He discusses the inspiration behind All Bones Considere...

In this inspiring episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Ed, the owner and leader of EDA Contractors, to discuss leadership, workplace mental health, and building a people-first company culture in the construction industry. Ed shares his personal journey as a hardworking entrepreneur whose relentless drive ultimately led to a mental and physical breakdown. He opens up about the lessons he learned from burnout and how those experiences transformed both his life and his business...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Deena Kamm, author of Lessons From the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath, for a powerful conversation about empathy, emotional burnout, healing, and personal transformation. Deena shares her childhood experiences and explains how becoming the person everyone depended on eventually led to emotional exhaustion and a personal breakdown. She opens up about the challenges faced by highly empathetic people, the importance of emotional ...

On this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Ria joins Kevin for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about trauma, survival, addiction, crime, and redemption. Ria shares the story behind her memoir, Off-road Destiny, opening up about her childhood, her mother’s suicide attempt, and growing up between Slovenia, Hungary, and Dubai. The episode dives into Ria’s descent into drug smuggling, the life-changing moment she was caught, and the reality of serving time in prison. She also reflects ...

On this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Tammy, host of the Adult Child of Dysfunction podcast, for a powerful and honest conversation about trauma, healing, and personal transformation. Tammy shares her experience growing up with two alcoholic parents and a mother struggling with drug addiction, and how that environment shaped her early life. In this candid discussion, she explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, including living in a constant state of hyper vig...

On this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Jo, author of You’ll Never Walk Alone, for an inspiring conversation about resilience, recovery, and the power of perseverance. Jo shares how her love of hiking began in childhood and grew into a lifelong passion that shaped her identity and purpose. During the episode, she opens up about a devastating injury and the difficult diagnosis that followed—one that threatened to take away the activity she loved most. Jo discusses the ph...

On this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Brendan for a powerful conversation about ambition, addiction, and resilience. Brendan shares his journey as a driven young law student and lawyer, and how that path led to a growing dependence on alcohol. In this candid discussion, he opens up about his experience with addiction, the challenges of recovery, and the mindset shifts that helped him rebuild his life. Brendan also highlights his incredible achievement of running a mar...

On this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Jenny, creator of yourcreativechord.com, for an honest and inspiring conversation about mental health, creativity, and personal growth. Jenny shares her experience navigating changing family dynamics, overcoming burnout, and managing a lifelong struggle with anxiety. Together, they explore how creativity can be a powerful tool for healing, self-expression, and finding clarity during life’s most challenging moments. If you’re inter...

In this thought-provoking episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Dr. Moe, author of Breaking the Spell of Religion and Healing the Trauma. Together, they explore Dr. Moe’s personal journey growing up Catholic, his evolving relationship with Christianity, and the challenges of questioning deeply ingrained beliefs. Dr. Moe shares his experience deconstructing religion and offers insight into healing from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and the emotional impact of leaving fait...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin welcomes Bob and Tammy, co-authors of The Blank Journal. Together, they share their deeply personal journeys through grief after the traumatic loss of their spouses and how those experiences ultimately brought them together. Bob and Tammy open up about meeting while navigating loss, the unexpected beginnings of their relationship, and how they built a meaningful connection rooted in healing and understanding. They also reflect on their shared lo...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, Kevin sits down with Adam for an honest and deeply personal conversation. Adam shares his childhood experiences, his journey into law enforcement in Canada, and the complex relationships he had with his parents. He opens up about the profound loss of his father and the traumatic circumstances surrounding his mother’s passing. Adam also discusses stepping away from his professional career to confront his mental health challenges, offering insight into ...

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

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

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