In this season finale of Papaya Talk Podcast, Nadia and Alyssa reflect on their podcasting journey together as they prepare to take a summer break. Nadia is approaching her fourth year of college, and they discuss the passage of time, her academic journey, future plans for medical school, and the value of their podcast conversations regardless of listener count. They also touch on college expenses like haircuts and nail care, the normalcy of graduating in 4.5 years versus 4, and Nadia's upcoming six-week study abroad program in Spain. The conversation highlights their close relationship and provides insight into the transitions young adults face as they navigate college and prepare for post-graduation life.

Takeaways

• Value Beyond Metrics: Both Alyssa and Nadia find value in their conversations regardless of listener count, suggesting that authenticity matters more than popularity metrics.
• College Experience Timeline: The episode documents Nadia's college journey, with both Nadia and Alyssa noting how quickly these formative years pass, despite being so impactful.
• Educational Flexibility: Nadia's decision to take 4.5 years to graduate demonstrates the importance of following your own educational path rather than conforming to traditional timelines.
• Transition and Growth: The conversation also reveals the emotional complexity of approaching major life transitions, with Nadia expressing both excitement and uncertainty about her final year of college and gap year plans.
• Family Communication Model: Their candid conversations provide a template for healthy mother-daughter communication during pivotal life stages.
• Future Planning: Nadia outlines her detailed path to medical school, showing thoughtful planning while acknowledging the value of taking time between undergraduate education and medical training.

Chapters

00:09 - Opening chat about haircuts, nails, and college expenses

02:18 - Reflecting on 93 episodes and podcast value beyond listener metrics

05:11 - Discussing previous guests in the podcast and future topics they want to discuss

05:59 - Nadia on her fourth year in college and the quick passage of college years and nostalgic reflections

08:16 - Nadia's 4.5-year graduation plan and gap year before medical school

14:35 - Social perceptions about traditional versus extended graduation timelines

16:43 - Future podcast format and Nadia's upcoming study abroad in Spain

18:36 - Closing thoughts on Spain program details and season wrap-up

In this episode, Nadia and Alyssa compare living conditions in San Francisco versus Boston, focusing on urban challenges that residents face.

The conversation begins with discussing San Francisco's reputation and how news coverage often portrays it negatively, emphasizing homelessness and cleanliness issues.

The discussion then shifts to a specific city problem that Nadia is experiencing in Boston - a mouse infestation in her apartment. She details her experiences with seeing and catching mice, her landlord's inadequate response, and how the situation has affected her daily life. Nadia and Alyssa also touched on tenant rights and landlord responsibilities, concluding with a plan to potentially bring in an expert to discuss both the health implications of living with mice and tenant rights.

Takeaways

• Media portrayal of cities like San Francisco often focuses disproportionately on problems like homelessness and drug use, which can create an exaggerated negative perception.
• Urban living comes with specific challenges like pest control problems, which can be especially difficult for young renters to address.
• Landlord responsiveness varies greatly, and many young renters may not be aware of their tenant rights when facing habitability issues.
• Health concerns related to mice infestations (like exposure to droppings or potential diseases) add another layer of stress to rental problems.
• Having a supportive third party (like a realtor) can help when communicating with difficult landlords, though ultimately it's the landlord's responsibility to maintain safe living conditions.

Chapters

0:10-1:57 - Introduction and San Francisco's Media Reputation

1:58-2:56 - Comparing Boston and San Francisco Living Conditions

2:57-5:42 - Mice Problem in Boston Apartments

5:43-8:12 - Dealing with Mice and Health Concerns

8:13-11:51 - Failed Attempts to Solve the Infestation

11:52-13:21 - Other Urban Living Challenges

13:22-15:56 - Landlord Responsibilities and Tenant Rights

In this episode, Nadia and Alyssa welcome registered dietitian Kerry Blair, founder of Food for Fuel and known on Instagram as "The Gymnast RD." The conversation explores nutrition topics including orthorexia, the differences between registered dietitians and nutritionists, gut health trends, and vitamin supplementation.

Kerry offers evidence-based insights to help young adults navigate nutrition misinformation on social media and provides practical advice for developing healthy relationships with food and understanding when supplements are truly necessary.

Takeaways

• Orthorexia is a form of disordered eating characterized by an unhealthy obsession with "healthy" eating that leads to restrictive behaviors and fears around food.
• Social media significantly contributes to nutrition misinformation and orthorexic tendencies, with studies suggesting 25-30% of young adults may be struggling with orthorexia.
• In the US, registered dietitians have extensive educational requirements (including a master's degree, clinical internship, and board certification), while "nutritionist" is an unregulated title.
• Gut health is an emerging area of nutrition research, and many trendy gut health products lack substantial scientific evidence to support their claims.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken based on individual needs determined by proper testing, as excessive supplementation can cause imbalances and health issues.

Chapters

00:00 - 01:41: Introduction and welcoming Kerry Blair

01:42 - 05:04: Kerry’s journey to becoming a dietitian and gymnastics nutrition

05:05 - 08:00: Explaining orthorexia and its prevalence among young adults

08:01 - 10:34: Social media's impact on nutrition trends and diet culture

10:35 - 15:45: Navigating nutrition advice and finding reliable information

15:46 - 19:33: The difference between registered dietitians and nutritionists

19:34 - 23:35: Discussion on gut health trends and probiotic products

23:36 - 33:20: Vitamin supplementation, regulation issues, and third-party testing

33:21 - 35:02: Closing thoughts on advocating for proper nutritional testing

In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia Herrera discuss medical dramas, including "The Pit" and "Grey's Anatomy," and how Nadia’s interest in these shows influenced her desire to become a doctor. They explore how initial interests evolve into deeper motivations, particularly as the younger host contemplates medical school, gap years, and the application process.

The conversation focuses on finding one's path, embracing different timelines, and seeking guidance from those who've already completed the journey.

Takeaways

• Initial interests (like TV shows) can spark career paths, but real-life experiences help develop deeper motivations.

• Taking a gap year between undergraduate studies and medical school can provide valuable experience and clarity.

• Everyone's educational and career journey is different - there's no single "right" timeline.

• Seeking advice from people who've already completed a similar path can provide valuable insights.

• It's beneficial to focus on one thing at a time rather than dividing attention between multiple priorities.

Chapters

00:00 - 01:55: Introduction and discussions about hospital dramas

01:56 - 04:34: Comparing "The Pit" to "Grey's Anatomy" and other medical shows

04:35 - 07:33: How TV shows influenced career aspirations in medicine

07:34 - 10:08: Developing deeper motivations beyond initial interests

10:09 - 13:18: Considering a gap year before medical school

13:19 - 16:43: Benefits of being around like-minded peers and seeking advice

16:44 - 19:29: Specific questions about MCAT timing and gap year experiences

19:30 - 21:28: Closing thoughts on seeking guidance and continuing TV discussions

In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia Herrera discuss modern food trends, gut health, and the impact of social media on eating habits. They explore how nutrition messaging has evolved over generations, from the low-fat craze of the past to today's protein-focused and gut health movements.

The conversation also dives into the dangers of social media influence on eating behaviors, including orthorexia (an obsession with "clean eating") and the rise of influencer-driven food trends. With brands, influencers, and celebrities pushing supplements and diet advice, how do we know what’s actually healthy? Alyssa and Nadia reflect on the importance of critical thinking, balanced nutrition, and learning to trust your own body.

Takeaways

• Nutrition trends have drastically changed over generations, from low-fat diets to high-protein and gut health obsessions.
• Social media heavily influences eating behaviors, often promoting extreme or unrealistic food choices.
• Orthorexia is an eating disorder that involves an obsession with only eating "clean" or "healthy" foods.
• Many influencers lack actual nutrition expertise but still shape public perceptions of food and health.
• Gut health is an important topic, but it's often over-marketed in ways that may not be backed by science.
• Food trends are constantly changing, making it confusing to determine what’s actually beneficial.
• There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healthy eating—what works for one person may not work for another.
• The rise of celebrity and influencer-branded supplements raises concerns about quality, effectiveness, and trust.
• Brands specifically target younger generations, making it harder to separate marketing from real science.
• The best approach? Take in expert-backed information, but ultimately trust how your own body feels.

Chapters

00:10 – Catching Up: Weekend Plans & College Life

01:55 – What Does "Healthy Eating" Mean to You?

02:44 – How Nutrition Messaging Has Changed Over the Years

03:42 – The Influence of Social Media on Diet & Health Trends

06:02 – Orthorexia: When "Clean Eating" Becomes Harmful

08:47 – The Rise of Influencer-Driven Food Trends

09:58 – The Psychological Impact of Social Media on Eating Habits

11:24 – Gut Health: Science vs. Marketing

12:16 – How to Filter Nutrition Advice & Listen to Your Body

12:36 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

In this episode, Alyssa and Nadia welcome special guest Alta Grace Tan, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and family relationships. Together, they dive into the evolving dynamic between parents and their adult children, discussing the challenges of communication, independence, and setting healthy boundaries.

The conversation covers how parents can support their kids without overstepping, why young adults still turn to their parents for advice, and how to maintain closeness despite different lifestyles and time zones. With humor, real-life stories, and expert insights from Grace, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood within their family.Takeaways

• Parent-child dynamics evolve as kids transition into adulthood.
• Many young adults still turn to their parents for advice but struggle with balancing independence and reliance.
• Time zones, schedules, and life responsibilities can make communication between parents and kids more challenging.
• Parents often feel the urge to immediately solve their child’s problems, but sometimes, kids need space to figure things out.
• The shift from dependence to independence requires mutual understanding and trust.
• Parents can help by using "I" statements instead of judgment to keep conversations open and supportive.
• Every family has a different communication style—some talk daily, while others check in monthly, and that's okay.
• Setting healthy boundaries is key to maintaining a strong relationship without overstepping.
• Shared experiences—whether traveling together or co-hosting a podcast—help maintain closeness despite different lifestyles.
• Love and support don't always mean agreement; it’s about being there, even when perspectives differ.

Chapters

00:10 – Introducing Guest: Psychologist Alta Grace Tan

01:12 – The Struggles of Parent-Child Communication in Adulthood

02:42 – Finding Balance Between Independence & Seeking Advice

06:15 – Why Parents Feel the Need to Solve Every Problem

09:01 – How to Offer Support Without Overstepping

12:00 – The Role of Boundaries in Parent-Adult Child Relationships

14:23 – Using "I" Statements to Prevent Conflict

17:26 – The Importance of Shared Experiences in Maintaining Closeness

21:57 – How Often Should Parents & Kids Communicate?

24:30 – Navigating Different Expectations for Communication

27:41 – Final Thoughts & Advice for Strengthening Relationships

Here is the website where you can request an appointment with Dr. Tan:

https://alta-grace-tan.clientsecure.me/

In this special Valentine’s Day episode, Alyssa and Nadia dive into modern dating, hookup culture, and the pressures of long-term planning. They discuss the challenges of finding real connections in the age of dating apps, the reality of being surrounded by couples, and the difference between casual dating and intentional relationships.

The conversation also explores long-term life planning, including the struggles of balancing career goals, relationships, and the pressure of starting a family by a certain age. Nadia reflects on her evolving perspective on med school, motherhood, and the ticking biological clock, while Alyssa reminds her that life is unpredictable and not everything can be planned.

Through humor, honesty, and a little manifestation, this episode is a heartfelt and relatable conversation about love, timing, and letting go of control.

Takeaways

• Hookup culture and dating apps make it harder to find long-term relationships.
• Many young people feel pressure to have a relationship timeline but realize life doesn’t always go as planned.
• Dating apps encourage quick judgment, making it harder to build connections organically.
• Surrounding yourself with couples can make being single feel isolating.
• The desire to balance career, relationships, and family planning adds additional stress.
• Med school, residency, and career ambitions often push back personal life goals like marriage and children.
• The pressure of the biological clock is real, but options like egg freezing exist.
• Some things in life require manifestation and effort, but others need to happen naturally.
• Letting go of rigid plans can open up unexpected opportunities.
• At the end of the day, love happens when you least expect it!
  Chapters

00:10 – Valentine’s Day & The Love-Hate Relationship with the Holiday

01:03 – The Challenges of Dating in College & Hookup Culture

02:42 – Dating Apps: Do They Help or Hinder?

04:06 – The Struggles of Being Surrounded by Couples

06:15 – The Pressure to Plan Life & Relationships Perfectly

08:50 – Balancing Med School, Motherhood & The Biological Clock

12:00 – The Science of Fertility & The Reality of Family Planning

14:23 – Manifestation vs. Letting Go of Control in Life & Love

15:26 – Final Thoughts: Trusting the Journey

In this recent episode, Alyssa and Nadia dive into the realities of living with food allergies, the psychological impact of growing up with dietary restrictions, and the balance between caution and fear.

Nadia reflects on her lifelong peanut allergy and how it has shaped her habits, choices, and perspectives. The conversation explores generational differences in how allergies are managed, the environmental factors contributing to rising food sensitivities, and the idea of desensitization treatments.

Alyssa also touches on trauma-informed healthcare—how medical professionals can empower patients rather than instill fear, especially when dealing with chronic conditions.

Takeaways

• Growing up with food allergies influences daily habits and social interactions.
• Attitudes toward allergies vary between generations—past generations had fewer restrictions but less awareness.
• Environmental factors may play a role in the rising prevalence of food allergies.
• Allergy testing can be a double-edged sword—some prefer not knowing if they have additional sensitivities.
• Psychological effects of food allergies include hyper-awareness, social stigma, and even humor as a coping mechanism.
• People with allergies often develop personal risk tolerances—some avoid all traces of allergens, while others take minor risks.
• Trauma-informed healthcare focuses on educating and empowering patients rather than instilling fear.
• The medical system can discourage patients from seeking care due to overwhelming lifestyle change recommendations.
• Healthcare providers should help patients make informed choices without making them feel powerless.
• Finding a balance between caution and living life fully is key for those managing chronic conditions.

Chapters

00:09 – Introduction: Talking About Allergies & Health

01:16 – Growing Up with a Peanut Allergy

02:42 – How Risk Tolerance Varies Among Allergy Sufferers

05:34 – The Dangers of Travel with Food Allergies

07:21 – Generational Differences in Managing Allergies

09:17 – Choosing Not to Get Retested: The Fear of More Allergies

12:42 – Could There Be a Cure for Food Allergies?

15:09 – The Psychological & Social Impact of Allergies

18:07 – The Role of Environmental Factors in Rising Allergies

21:37 – Trust & Fear in Healthcare: How It Affects Patients

24:22 – Trauma-Informed Care: A Better Way to Approach Health