371. Country Music’s Cody Alan on Coming Out at 30 Years Old and Becoming His Most Authentic Self

Vanderpump Rules has been a staple of Bravo's reality lineup for almost a decade, and OG Scheana Shay is one of the reasons. Today on #BetterTogether we talked all about the wild season, her widely criticized edit, and the recently mounted #JusticeForScheana campaign. Plus, we discuss fertility, and Scheana even reveals that she and her current boyfriend Brock Davies are considering embryos TOGETHER! Maria loved our chat, and we know you will too! RESOURCES: Scheana’s Podcast: https://www.podcastone.com/scheananigans-with-scheana-shay Shceana’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jgdbAu8PZMmfYZBj2xnog --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

27 Touko 20201h 27min

Did you know women are physiologically 10 times more likely to deal with chronic stress issues than men? This is a passion point for Dr Pamela Peeke, whom I had the pleasure of chatting with on my show BetterTogether. On today's show, we discussed the profound differences between productive stress and toxic stress, which is defined by helplessness, hopelessness, and defeat. Dr. Peeke offers practical strategies to deal with toxic stress: like hitting pause on our prefrontal cortex, which she calls "the CEO of the brain." We chatted about how resilience is one of the most important skills we can develop to deal with stress, and how resilience often needs to be re-taught when life throws us curveballs. Will your day be defined by productive stress, or toxic stress? RESOURCES: Dr Peeke’s Website: https://drpeeke.com/ Dr. Peeke’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-podcast-with-dr-pamela-peeke-radiomd/id742910884 TWITTER - @PamPeekeMD --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

26 Touko 20201h 25min

*THIS EPISODE WAS ORIGINALLY BROADCAST ON JUN 17, 2019* Last year, Maria interviewed #DougAbrams, who co-authored the Book Of Joy w/ The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, and his sage advice about journeying through hardship with patience and joy has never felt more relevant amidst Covid-19. Doug discusses the lessons he learned first hand from his time with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, who have survived more than fifty years of exile and oppression, and yet despite their hardships—or, as they would say, because of them—are two of the most joyful people on the planet. Happy Memorial Day! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

25 Touko 20201h 19min

In honor of Brain Cancer Awareness Month, Maria chats  with Courtney Elizabeth (@Courtelizz1), a staple of YouTube’s beauty influencer community. In 2017, she was diagnosed with Brain Cancer, and bravely chronicled the journey to recovery on her channel. Today, we discussed how she fought through it, why she did it publicly, how she stayed healthy during recovery (Black Seed Oil anyone?), and even got into some beauty tips! But first, we gotta ask: who Could Use AB eer? Maria’s former assistant and party partner-in-crime Meredith Alhern, that's who! Listen to the two of them recall some of our wild times from their 20s! #BetterTogether is live every Mon-Thur @ 11a PT! RESOURCES: Naomi Campbell Cleans A Plane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-U_jT9qWvs&feature=emb_title Courtney’s YouTube: https://www.google.com/search?q=Courtelizz1&oq=courte&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l4j0j69i60l3.834j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Courtney’s Surgery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwOzsxaMfM0&t=440s Become a member of the Better Together community through Patreon! Patreon.com/BetterTogetherWithMaria Join our Facebook group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/432608110738691/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

21 Touko 20201h 20min

The Bella Twins, Brie and Nikki,, have built their entire careers on openness and vulnerability, but even Maria  was taken aback by how beautifully unguarded her conversation with them was today. They discuss the incredible details of their new memoir Incomparable, even reflecting on the sexual assault Nikki so bravely included in the book. They also dove into former flings, current relationships, and the REAL story behind Nikki & Artem time during Dancing With The Stars! The girls shared why therapy AND life coaching have been vital instruments in their success, and offer some beautifully heartfelt words around the tragic passing of Shad Gaspard. RESOURCES: INSTAGRAM: @BellaTwins New book: https://www.amazon.com/Incomparable-Brie-Bella/dp/1797112848 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

20 Touko 20201h 43min

Today on Better Together, we feature world renowned energy healer and practitioner #DrBradleyNelson to discuss how "trapped emotions" in our body, either created in our lives, or inherited from the trauma of our ancestors, can manifest physical pain. Dr. Nelson's studies are backed in quantum physics, and have yielded results for many all over the world. Maria even goes out on a limb to do a live healing session with Dr. Nelson! It's a must see interview! RESOURCES: DR. BRADLEY’S WEBSITE: http://www.drbradleynelson.com/ “The Emotion Code” Book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Code-Emotions-Abundant-Happiness/dp/1250214505 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

19 Touko 20201h 32min

I had two incredible breakthroughs on Better Together today with world-renowned Swedish psychologist and author Katarina Blom. Happiness isn't a "state of being," it's an emotion, and just like all of our emotions, our goal should be to work towards experiencing happiness, not obligating it into our lives. On today's show, Katarina walks us through practical, science-backed exercises to increase our likelihood of achieving happiness more frequently. These strategies have NEVER been more valuable. PLUS, we share our #GoodNewsMonday story straight from @Good_News_Movement 's instagram - a traveling troubadour dedicated to bringing social distance graduation ceremonies to the hard-working students that deserve them! Enjoy the show! RESOURCES: KATRINA BLOM’S WEBSITE: http://katarinablom.com/ KATARINA BLOM’S SOCIALS: @KatarinaBlom --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

18 Touko 20201h 33min

*THIS EPISODE WAS ORIGINALLY BROADCAST ON MAY 14, 2020** A raw, unguarded conversation with Jamie Lynn Spears, about why she really left the business, how scary it was, and how watching her sister Britney's life influenced that decision. We get an emotional, step-by-step account of her daughter's terrifying accident and miracle recovery, and her new outlook on life thereafter. She opens up with a behind-the-scenes look at growing up as a Spears, especially as Britney's younger sister. Of course Zoey101 fans will be thrilled to hear her discuss the future of the show, but which roles did she walk away from (hint, hint, could she have been our favorite #Vampire?) Finally, she shares her excitement over her new Netflix show Sweet Magnolias. Become a member of the Better Together community through Patreon! Patreon.com/BetterTogetherWithMaria Join our Facebook group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/432608110738691/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/better-together-w-maria/support

14 Touko 20201h 37min