Episodes

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 ca...

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 ...

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 b...

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 p...

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 fai...

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 l...

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 jour...

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 foll...

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...

In this gripping episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Peggy, author of Surviving the Family Kingdom , for a powerful conversation about cult survival, family trauma, and breaking free from control. Peggy shares her experience growing up in a nomadic childhood under the authority of her mother, who led a tightly controlled family cult. She describes being raised to obey without question, the psychological dynamics of cult leadership within a family structure, and the lasting im...

In this compelling episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Amanda for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, healing, and restorative justice. Amanda bravely shares the difficult experiences she endured as a child and how those formative challenges shaped her path toward an extensive education in criminal law. Together, they explore the principles of restorative justice — a justice model that centers victims, prioritizes accountability, and seeks healing over punishment....

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Angie, author of All I See Is Violence , for an in-depth conversation about Indigenous history, identity, and storytelling. Angie shares her early life growing up in an Indigenous community, her personal educational journey, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a writer. Drawing from extensive research into the history of Indigenous peoples, Angie discusses the inspiration behind her novel All I See Is Violence and how...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Stacey, author of Empty Cupboards and several other books, for a candid and deeply moving conversation. Stacey shares her experience of a sudden nervous breakdown in 2001, the ongoing daily challenges of mental health recovery, and the personal and family tragedies she faced along the way. Through her story, Stacey reflects on resilience, healing, and the long road toward hope, offering listeners an honest look at what it mean...

In this powerful episode of Behind Beautiful Things , host Kevin sits down once again with Sarah, author of the forthcoming memoir in verse, Conjuring the Hurricane: The Best Way to Save Your Life Is Any Way You Can . Sarah shares her deeply personal journey as a domestic violence survivor, opening up about how she found the strength and resources to leave an abusive relationship. Together, Kevin and Sarah explore the lasting impact of childhood experiences, generational trauma, and the long roa...

In this special episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Sarah, an author and resident of Minneapolis, MN. In this conversation, Kevin speaks with Sarah about what it is really like on the ground as an American city is under siege from its own federal government. Sarah bears witness to the chaos and cruelty on the ground. But more importantly, she speaks about the strength of community, the humanity in all of us, and the power of kindness. Please join us! A list of resources...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Patton, author of The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become , for a deeply personal and reflective conversation. Patton opens up about his relationship with his father, including the impact of addiction, grief, and loss on their bond. Patton shares his journey of losing his father and the emotional work that followed—coming to terms with a complicated relationship and ultimately redefining what it means...

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Andrea, author of Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days , for a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Andrea shares the inspiring story of her sister Adrienne and her courageous battle with liver cancer, reflecting on their close bond, Adrienne’s resilience, and the lasting impact of her journey. Listeners will hear Andrea discuss her early life, the deep relationship she shared with her sister, and how Adrienne’s legacy led to t...