More Than Physical: The Mental Health Side of Fibroids

In this episode, Ariyon Fountaine, MSW, LSW, a licensed therapist at AuroraSun Counseling, sits down with Theresa Santucci to share her personal fibroid journey — how it has affected her mental health and how women’s health issues can impact mental well-being. Together they explore the connection between physical and mental health, touching on painful menstrual cramps, endometriosis, and PCOS.

This conversation aims to spark awareness and dialogue around health issues affecting women, especially women of color. Ariyon and Theresa also discuss medical gaslighting and how therapists can help advocate for and support clients navigating these challenges.

In this week’s Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Danielle Delmonaco—nurse, personal trainer, wellness coach-in-training, nonprofit leader, and mom—to explore what it really means to live a balanced, healthy life.

Danielle shares her inspiring journey from the NICU to motherhood through adoption, her passion for empowering others as a wellness coach, and the role of movement, motivation, and mindset in creating sustainable health. She opens up about the challenges and joys of parenting, how she integrates wellness into family life, and why building community matters—on and off the water—with the Wicked Warriors of East Greenwich, the dragon boat team she leads to support mothers and children in need.

🎙️ You’ll hear:

💡 The difference between personal training & wellness coaching

💡 Strategies for staying motivated when life feels “too busy”

💡 How adoption has shaped Danielle’s perspective on health & balance

💡 The power of community, connection, and resilience

Whether you’re a parent, a wellness seeker, or someone curious about coaching, this conversation is full of encouragement and practical wisdom.

🌊 Tune in, breathe deep, and let’s take these insights beyond the couch.

“How do you keep going after rejection in the arts? 🎭 Seth Bisen-Hersh shares his secret to staying motivated and chasing your dreams.”

🎭 NEW EPISODE 🎶

This week I’m joined by the incredibly talented Seth Bisen-Hersh—award-winning composer, lyricist, and performer. From Off-Broadway hits like Love Quirks (now making its London debut!) to his latest film Malka (now eligible for an Oscar nomination ✨), Seth’s creative journey is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, Seth opens up about the realities of the industry—how he engages in self-care, and most importantly, how to stay motivated to keep pursuing your dreams no matter the challenges.

If you’ve ever dreamed of following your creative calling (or just love a behind-the-scenes peek into Broadway, film, and beyond), this conversation is for you!

This week on The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, I sit down with Todd Kinder—a leader whose journey spans over two decades in the pageant world. From judge to Executive Director, and now President of Miss New Jersey Volunteer, Todd shares how his passion for leadership, service, and inclusion has shaped not only the stage but the lives of countless contestants and volunteers.

We dive into:

👑 Todd’s path from pageant judge to organizational leader

🌈 His work leading Inspira Health’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group

🧠 Why mental health and empowerment are at the heart of his mission

💡 Lessons in leadership, community, and purpose

Todd’s story is one of vision, resilience, and using the crown as a platform for meaningful change.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the conversation and join us as we go beyond the spotlight—and into the heart of leadership.

#AuroraSessions #BeyondTheCouch #Podcast #Leadership #PageantLife #ToddKinder #MissNJVolunteer #MentalHealthMatters

🎙️ Part 2: Friendship, Community & the Changing Face of Mental Health – Theresa Interviews Moulakshi

In this follow-up episode, Theresa takes the host chair to ask Moulakshi thoughtful, real-world questions about mental health in today’s world. Together, they explore what employers are recognizing now that they didn’t a decade ago, how to harness social media for positive impact, and the powerful role friendship and community play in emotional well-being. They dive into the differences between romantic and platonic relationships, reflect on the habits that have unknowingly boosted their mental health over the years, and discuss the unique considerations for immigrants and children of immigrants. This is a candid, insightful conversation about connection, culture, and the everyday choices that shape our mental health. 💬💛

The guests opinions are of their own and not of their employer

#MentalHealthMatters #PodcastLife #FriendshipAndWellbeing #SocialMediaForGood #WorkplaceWellness #CommunityCare #RelationshipsMatter #ChildrenOfImmigrants #ImmigrantStories #PositiveHabits #TherapistLife #SoulSisters #HealingJourney #AuroraCounseling #MentalHealthAwareness

🎙️ Part 1: A Soul Sisterhood Story – Moulakshi Interviews Theresa

This episode flips the script—Moulakshi Roychowdhury takes the host seat to interview Theresa in a heartfelt conversation spanning nearly four decades of friendship. From meeting at age 10 when a simple knock on the door began a lifelong bond, to navigating bullying, body image, being children of immigrants, and the universal need to belong—this is a story of home, peace, and unconditional acceptance. Mou also asks Theresa about her personal journal—the one that inspired her to become a therapist and eventually open Aurora—revealing the deep roots of her passion for helping others. 💛

The guests opinions are of their own and not of their employer

#SoulSisters #FriendshipGoals #PodcastLife #MentalHealthAwareness #BodyImage #ChildrenOfImmigrants #WomenSupportingWomen #AuroraSunCounseling #LifeStories #TherapistLife #PodcastInterview #TrueFriendship #Empowerment #Belonging #HealingJourney

Living with a chronic illness changes everything — your body, your routines, your relationships, and even your sense of self. In this episode, mental health therapist Karen Helmes, founder of Anam Cara Counseling and Supervision, shares how her personal journey with a neuromuscular disease shapes the way she helps others navigate the realities of ongoing illness.

We talk about the grief that comes with losing your “pre-illness” self, how to build a toolbox of coping strategies, and ways to reclaim meaning and joy — even when life looks different than you imagined. Whether you’re living with a chronic condition, caring for someone who is, or simply seeking inspiration on resilience, this conversation is both real and hopeful.

🎧 Listen in and discover how acceptance, boundaries, and small daily choices can help you live fully — beyond the diagnosis.

#ChronicIllness #MentalHealth #PodcastLife #ChronicIllnessSupport #CaregiverSupport #Resilience #HealingJourney #GriefAndGrowth #AnamCaraCounseling #KarenHelmes #LivingWithIllness #MindsetMatters #HealthAndWellnessPodcast #BeyondTheDiagnosis

Maria Ramos shares a powerful story of resilience, sacrifice, and love—starting with her parents’ immigration to the U.S., her experience growing up with a dedicated ER doctor father and a mother who took on multiple jobs to show up for every moment of Maria’s childhood.

Now, as she navigates the challenges of caring for both her elderly parents—Mom with vascular dementia—and raising her daughter Jackie, Maria reflects on how culture, caregiving, and compassion shape her family legacy.

💬 A must-listen for anyone balancing caregiving and parenting, or seeking connection in multigenerational stories.

#CaregiverLife #FilipinoAmericanStories #ParentingAndCaregiving #MentalHealthMatters #FamilyLegacyPodcast