The Naked Truth with Lauren

Lauren shares her personal journey of navigating her 20s, the challenges of balancing career ambitions with mental health, and the importance of setting boundaries to maintain self-identity. She shares her experience navigating a high-pressure consulting job and the personal development lessons she learned throughout her career. If you’re looking for some relatable self-help content, you’ve come to the right place. Key Topics The trap of high-paying jobs and losing yourself The importance of mental health support and therapy Strategies for setting boundaries and avoiding burnout The impact of work environment on personal well-being Unlearning attachment to job titles for self-identity Takeaways It's normal to seek therapy and medication for mental health Setting strict work boundaries is crucial for well-being High-stress jobs can leak into personal life and cause burnout Your job does not define your worth or identity Small daily actions can help reclaim your mental health Chapters 01:45 The trap of losing yourself in a high-paying job 02:51 Experience at Deloitte and the pursuit of stability 05:30 Working in a high-stress environment 09:20 Realizing the importance of boundaries and mental health 11:34 Practical steps to protect your mental health and identity If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing, and/or commenting on your favorite platform. Thank you! 🙂 Newsletter: ⁠https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod⁠ Contact Us: ⁠https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact Shout out to Kit for the sleek recording studio! If you wanna check it out, sign up for Kit here: https://partners.kit.com/nzfqdmp0mqo6?_gl=1*1mhx13u*_gcl_au*MTk2MjA1NDIwNi4xNzkxMjI3Mzg1 Thank you to our partners this week: Cozy Earth: Get 21% off bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more with code TRUTH at https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/truth-4zy More Labs: Get 25% off clinically proven recovery energy drinks with code NAKED at https://promocode.to/more-labs/naked-tjj #mentalhealth #selfhelp #personaldevelopment #careerboundaries #therapy #wellness #selfimprovement

Lauren sits down with Mia, also known as phoodietings, for a candid conversation about queer identity, people-pleasing, and the mental load of hiding who you are. Mia shares how growing up Filipino and Catholic shaped her early experiences, how she came to understand her sexuality later in life, and how creating content helped her build confidence and community. They also get practical, discussing ADHD diagnosis, setting boundaries without guilt, and why authenticity matters in both relationships and content creation. Key Topics The origin story of Mia’s @phoodietings Instagram The DMV Foodie Crew community of creators Filipino food and culture ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, including restlessness, trouble focusing, and trying different medications Mia’s experience growing up in a Catholic home and masking her identity Coming out later in life, including Mia’s first crushes, dating women privately, and the relief of finally living authentically The emotional cost of people-pleasing, especially when there’s no queer community or safe outlet to process dating experiences Coming out publicly on social media Mia’s advice on boundaries, self-trust, and choosing yourself even when fear is present Chapters 02:52 Starting with a breathing exercise 04:03 Highs and lows of the week, including entrepreneurship dreams and ADHD challenges 05:32 What led Mia to seek an ADHD diagnosis as an adult 10:04 Mia’s content creator origin story and how phoodietings began 11:03 Why Filipino content resonated and the role of food in love and hospitality 12:40 Family expectations, Catholic guilt, and early people-pleasing 14:12 Coming out later in life and realizing attraction to women 15:40 Masking, dressing to fit in, and the emotional strain of hiding identity 17:22 Lauren shares her own bisexual identity journey 20:59 Family reactions, internalized homophobia, and the path toward acceptance 22:23 Mia’s Hinge story and how she met her fiancé 25:33 Dating women in secret and what people-pleasing looked like in practice 27:24 The loneliness of hiding dating life from family and friends 30:54 How podcasts and a solo Miami trip helped Mia prepare to come out 32:31 Coming out to close people through Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” 34:21 Why Mia chose to come out publicly on social media 36:55 Letting go of outside approval and feeling truly happy 39:12 The mental health toll of forcing herself into a straight box 40:01 Therapy and feeling free 42:29 A practical boundary: waiting 24 hours before saying yes 44:50 Advice for people afraid to live authentically Action items Try a 24-hour delay before agreeing to plans or favors Ask yourself whether a yes is coming from alignment or people-pleasing Post the creative thing, even if it feels cringe at first If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing, and/or commenting on your favorite platform. Thank you! 🙂 Newsletter: ⁠https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod⁠ Contact Us: ⁠https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact Connect with Mia: IG: https://www.instagram.com/phoodietings/ & https://www.instagram.com/toma_ventures/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phoodietings YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TOMAVENTURES Thank you to our partners this week: Cozy Earth: Get 21% off bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more with code TRUTH at https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/truth-4zy More Labs: Get 25% off clinically proven recovery energy drinks with code NAKED at https://promocode.to/more-labs/naked-tjj

Lauren speaks with Raisa Martinez, the Regional Director of the David Lynch Foundation in DC and a certified Transcendental Meditation (TM) teacher. They unpack what chronic stress does to the nervous system, how masking and imposter syndrome show up in work and life, and how meditation, gratitude, and basic routines can help people recover from fight-or-flight. In this episode, we discuss: How DC hustle culture and the transition from NY to DC shaped Raisa’s early career stress The difference between imposter syndrome as a challenge and imposter syndrome as a sign of growth Masking as a woman of color and the hidden cognitive load it creates What happens in the fight-or-flight response when work stress becomes chronic Why sleep, water, nutrition, and safe environments are still the foundation of stress regulation How journaling, gratitude, and analog hobbies can help interrupt comparison and doomscrolling The difference between concentration, contemplative, and transcendental meditation Why transcendental meditation uses a private mantra A powerful story of a DC woman who found relief after years of grief and trauma 3 practical steps listeners can use right away to reduce daily work stress Key frameworks and ideas: Fight-or-flight is no longer occasional - Raisa explains that modern stress keeps the nervous system in a heightened state far too often Masking as adaptation - changing how you speak, dress, or show up to fit a room can be protective, but it also drains energy Gratitude as a daily reset - even 1 specific thing can shift perception and help counter negativity bias Analogy of the ocean - concentration meditation stays on the surface, contemplative practice explores a guided layer, & TM goes beyond active thinking into quieter levels The sunglasses metaphor - stress distorts how we see life until a restorative practice helps clear the lens Lobster growth analogy - discomfort can signal the need to shed an old shell and grow into a stronger version of yourself Chapters (02:45) High and low of the week, including Juneteenth and pregnancy sleep struggles (06:50) DC hustle culture and the pressure to prove yourself (12:30) What stress looked like after moving to DC (14:56) Defining masking and the cost of code-switching (18:30) What fight-or-flight does to the body in modern work life (22:28) Wellness practices for stress management (29:04) Getting out of the comparison trap on social media (35:47) The three types of meditation and how they differ (40:21) What transcendental meditation is and how it works (46:49) A transformational story from teaching a grieving woman in DC (53:09) Three practical steps for managing work stress Action items: Write down what is stressing you out instead of replaying it in your head Identify what feels missing or non-nourishing in your life Pick 1 gratitude practice and do it at the same time every day Gratitude Plus App: https://gratitudeplus.app.link/nakedtruth If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing, and/or commenting on your favorite platform. Thank you! 🙂 Newsletter: ⁠https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod⁠ Contact Us: ⁠https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact Connect with Raisa & Learn More: Email: [email protected] Learn more about TM: https://tm.org/ Explore the David Lynch Foundation: https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/ Thank you to our partners this week: Cozy Earth: Get 21% off bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more with code TRUTH at https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/truth-4zy More Labs: Get 25% off clinically proven recovery energy drinks with code NAKED at https://promocode.to/more-labs/naked-tjj

Lauren explores the realities of navigating your 20s, focusing on social media comparison, mental health, and embracing authenticity. She shares personal stories about comparison, practical tips to protect your peace, and mindset shifts to help listeners feel less alone and more empowered. Keywords: 20s, social media, comparison, mental health, authenticity, self-worth, mindset, personal growth Key Topics Social comparison theory and its impact on mental health Lauren's personal story of jealousy and pride The curated nature of social media and its effects Strategies for managing social media consumption The importance of presence and mindfulness Reprogramming scarcity mindset to abundance mindset Unfollowing and muting for mental well-being Taking social media breaks and digital detoxes Takeaways Social media is a highlight reel, not reality Comparison can steal joy, but awareness helps manage it Reprogram your mind to see abundance, not scarcity Unfollow accounts that make you feel less than Presence and mindfulness are skills that help manage stress Taking breaks from social media benefits mental health You are stronger than your insecurities Sound Bites “Our brains are wired to compare ourselves to others." "Someone else's win isn't my loss." Chapters 02:01 Understanding social comparison theory and its origins 02:35 Personal story involving comparison 03:57 The curated nature of social media and behind-the-scenes reality 06:48 Shifting from scarcity to abundance mindset 08:11 Curating your social media feed for positivity 08:56 The importance of presence and mindfulness activities 10:18 Taking social media breaks and digital detox tips 10:43 The mute and unfollow audit for peace of mind If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing, and/or commenting on your favorite platform. Thank you! 🙂 Newsletter: ⁠https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod⁠ Contact Us: ⁠https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact Thank you to our partners this week: Cozy Earth: Get 21% off bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more with code TRUTH at https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/truth-4zy More Labs: Get 25% off clinically proven recovery energy drinks with code NAKED at https://promocode.to/more-labs/naked-tjj

Shabnam Khan shares her journey from a high-stress nursing career to founding Khansciously Healing + Wellness Services. She discusses overcoming workplace anxiety, the power of sound therapy and breath work, and practical tools for self-alignment and resilience. Keywords: workplace anxiety, breath work, sound therapy, self-awareness, mental health, career pivot, healing, nervous system, self-care, wellness Key Topics Workplace anxiety and its impact on mental health Tools for managing anxiety: sound therapy and breath work The importance of self-awareness and internal alignment Career pivoting and trusting your intuition Practical self-care strategies for high-stress jobs The role of community and environment in mental health Using visualization and affirmations to manifest change The connection between nervous system regulation and well-being Takeaways Self-awareness is key to aligning your career with your values Tools like sound therapy and breath work can provide relief from anxiety Your breath is your life force and a direct connection to your higher self Creating a routine for self-care helps manage stress and anxiety Your career and personal life are interconnected Trust your intuition and be naive enough to take risks for growth Small breaks and self-check-ins can significantly improve your day Your nervous system needs evidence and repetition to change Sound Bites "Your breath is your life force energy." "You are enough as you are organically." Chapters 06:50 Experiencing anxiety in the early nursing career 10:21 Transition to travel nursing and new layers of anxiety 19:52 Breaking point: emotional struggles as a nurse in Atlanta 22:24 The interconnection of work and personal life 27:00 Understanding sound therapy and breath work 29:14 The power of breath work in calming the nervous system 34:58 Integrating mindfulness practices into daily work life 43:56 Advice for those feeling stuck in unfulfilling careers 47:44 Reflecting on the power within and self-confidence If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also support the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing, and/or commenting on your favorite platform. Thank you! 🙂 Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod⁠ Contact Us: ⁠https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact Connect with Shabnam: IG: https://www.instagram.com/khansciously/ Thank you to our partners this week: Cozy Earth: Get 21% off bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more with code TRUTH at https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/truth-4zy More Labs: Get 25% off clinically proven recovery energy drinks with code NAKED at https://promocode.to/more-labs/naked-tjj A note from Shabnam: Dear listener, as you listen to this podcast and reflect on your experiences with anxiety in the workplace, I invite you to remember anxiety is an experience. It is information. Anxiety is not your identity. Invite yourself to detach from the “I have anxiety” and “I am anxious” storyline and rewrite it to “I am experiencing anxiety”. I hope in time you learn that anxiety is a normal human experience with something to offer. Oftentimes it comes to show you where your nervous system is and is not yet secure, and that in itself can open the door to the alignment you truly desire. But it’s hard to access this if you view anxiety as a problem to be fixed, numbed, or to escape from. You have to rewrite the story and become an observer. Observe when and how anxiety is showing up in your body and watch how it starts to give you wisdom. The more you do this, the more you can alchemize anxiety into power and a tool for direction. So the next time you feel anxious, I invite you to pause, breathe, turn inwards, and observe the messages that are coded within the anxiety.