Comedian Alex Kumin joins us for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about trauma, healing, and the comedy world. Alex talks about navigating stand-up as a woman, teaching at Chicago’s Lincoln Lodge, and what it was like to work in sexual violence prevention before comedy. We go deep into how sexual trauma shaped her early life and relationships, how she uses therapy and psychedelics for healing, and the very real struggle of trying to make dark material work on stage. This episode covers heavy topics like childhood sexual trauma, so please take care and listen when you’re ready. We also laugh (a lot) about bad sex-ed, weird comedy audiences, and the eternal quest for good nail art.

Check out Alex’s podcast Into the Mud and follow her at @alex.kumin.

In this episode of I’m Fine, It’s Fine, hosts Amber and Melanie sit down with musician Molly Grace for a conversation full of laughter, honesty, and sneak peeks into her rising career. Molly shares how her Bonnaroo performance led to a major pinch-me moment, the process of creating her first full-length album, and the emotional journey behind some of her most personal songs. They dive into attachment styles, the highs and lows of being a full-time artist, navigating social media pressure, and why therapy is on Molly’s radar for the first time. Plus, Molly treats us to an exclusive sneak preview of a new song from her upcoming album. It’s a funny, heartfelt, and inspiring chat you won’t want to miss!

Artist Madeline Kiel joins us to share the winding road that led her back to art after quitting at 13 due to bullying. From missionary work in China to living in public housing and working with addicts, Madeline’s story is anything but linear.

We talk about her shift from music to visual art, the visions of Black, Native, and Mexican cowboys that wouldn’t leave her alone, and how a viral portrait of Snoop launched her unexpected art career.

She opens up about being misunderstood online, wrestling with who gets to tell what stories, and how letting go of outcome is where the magic happens.

Plus, she’s heading to Italy for her first formal art training—and maybe a little Italian love. 💚🤍❤️

Courtney Michelle is a hilarious, silly, and beautiful person who opens up to Amber and Melanie in a lovely conversation. She shares how insecurities and self worth have impacted how she moves through life. From personal relationships she could show up for in a codependent way and feel safe in, to her approach to career and comedy. We are so grateful for the conversation and her willingness to share so much of herself with us. Support Courtney wherever you can!

Aubrey Holden, LPC-MHSP, NCC joins Amber and Melanie to shar her story of her origins and what brought her into becoming a therapist and a member of the Trauma Therapy of Nashville family. She talks about her early career in the music industry and the pivot that happened when she began to unpack her own identity in therapy. Aubrey shares her journey through her transition and how her lived experience now helps inform her approach to helping others.

Cocoa Speaks is a Nashville based comedian who shares her heart and her joyful energy with us. She opens up about the impacts of ADD meds as a child, trying again as a college athlete and now, for the first time in adulthood, she is trying it again and looking forward to the focus it could bring into her life. A self identifying “Hooper” she talks about how different the environment is on a team compared to the sparing within the comedy scene. Seeking out joyous vibes to be her best creative self, she knows that is where she thrives. She also shared the pain that comes with having multiple miscarriages and how the people around her reacted and handled the loss with her. She is truly so fun and wants to live an entire life having fun for a living and we see it for her.

Comedian Brandi Augustus opens up in an incredibly honest way. Sharing the circumstances of her childhood, and the abuse she both witnessed, and experienced directly. She so easily opened up about the impacts it’s had on her life, her relationships and her parenting decisions. Diving into her past relationships, she believed there was safety in a casual non committal dynamic and unpacking now, that she actually wants much more. Presenting a harder masculine energy attracted a certain availability in men, and now the work to soften that guard she has had up begins. She is also the mother to a trans child and she talks openly about how parenting challenges are different when you are facing the emotional, medical, and logistical elements that come with helping your child along the way. From the conversations she had to have with family, to her day to day work advocating for the needs of others, it’s shaped her identity in a truly unique way.

We are so grateful to have had this conversation with Brandi. Please follow and support her where you can!