EmotionAL Support with Alessandra Torresani

In this powerful episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Stephanie Wibom, founder of Grow Happy, to talk about the emotional and practical realities of parenting a child with food allergies. Stephanie shares her personal journey from navigating her own child’s allergies to launching an innovative solution that empowers parents with early allergen introduction tools. Together, they explore the growing prevalence of allergies, the emotional toll on caregivers, and how education, support, and community can transform fear into confidence. Whether you’re a new parent, allergy-conscious caregiver, or mental health advocate, this episode is packed with heartfelt advice, science-backed insight, and hope. https://letsgrowhappy.com/ @letsgrowhappy     Grow Happy •    GrowHappy's mission is to empower a brave world of food freedom with happy gut microbiomes     •    We provide education on food allergies and gut health. For example the doctors and I wrote An Ultimate Guide to Feeding Allergens and Pregnancy Guide with top tips from the best experts      •    We also make snacks that help families get allergens into the diet in a way that also fosters a healthy gut microbiome. Each snack has a featured allergen with 2g of allergen protein in it.  Also, our 5 flavors have 16 plant based foods across the range.      •    To make GrowHappy, I've teamed up with the best allergy and gut health experts. For example, Carina and David wrote the US guidelines for Allergy Prevention, George wrote the LEAP and EAT-On studies, Sharon is the co-director of Stanford's Sean Parker Allergy Centre, just to name a few.       •    Families should ideally start feeding GrowHappy at 4-6 months but they can start later too if they only find out about us then. These are nut and seed butters with fruits and vegetables and can be enjoyed at any age - this is not just baby food. A lot of people know about peanut but we really need to care about sesame, walnut, cashew, etc.      •    Get our guides on the website for free!   Conversations on Food Allergy Parenting •Early allergen introduction •Mental health and motherhood •Grow Happy founder interview •Stephanie Wibom •emotional support podcast •parenting children with allergies •allergy-friendly baby products •podcast for moms •parenting support and community

21 Jul 51min

Becoming a parent brings many changes to anyone’s life. To add to the changes, balancing new or forthcoming parenthood with mental health conditions might feel difficult. In this episode, guest host Barb Solish, NAMI’s National Director of Innovation, is joined by Kate Kennedy-Lynch, NAMI Director of External Relations, and Alessandra Torresani, actress, podcast host, and NAMI Ambassador. They discuss their own lived experiences navigating mental health conditions before, during, and after their pregnancies, sharing what they’ve learned throughout their mental health journeys. Finally, they share ways they’ve found to balance mental health and parenthood for Mental Health Awareness Month and Maternal Mental Health Month. You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast.

7 Jul 52min

In this deeply honest episode of Emotional Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with actress Kirby Bliss Blanton (The Green Inferno, Project X, Hannah Montana, Young and The Restless) to unpack the real-life complexities of sobriety, mental health, and surviving the ever-changing landscape of the acting world. Kirby opens up about her nearly three-year sobriety journey, the power of community, and the emotional toll of dating while sober. Together, they explore how family expectations, major career milestones, and the pressure of Hollywood can shape one’s identity and well-being. With stories from the set, reflections on working with director Eli Roth, and a raw conversation about finding purpose beyond the spotlight, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating recovery, reinvention, or the rollercoaster of creative life.       K

30 Jun 1h 10min

In this deeply personal episode of EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani opens up about returning to her 20-year high school reunion—despite never having graduated. With raw honesty, she explores the emotions that resurfaced, from self-doubt to nostalgia, and how her early life choices shaped her identity. Alessandra reflects on the mental health conversations that have blossomed through her podcast, childhood memories that echo into adulthood, and the complicated trust we place in authority figures as we become parents. From relationships to relinquishing control in motherhood, she shares insights on growth, fear, and self-acceptance in a world that often demands perfection.   Old friends. Childhood memories. Deep regrets. And now? A little grace.   🔑 Topics: high school reunion, mental health, parenting, life choices, childhood trauma, trust, self-acceptance, relationships, personal growth, emotional support

23 Jun 24min

In this episode of Emotional Support, Alessandra Torresani reconnects with David Haggerty to discuss significant changes in health and wellness over the past year. They delve into the impact of weight loss medications like Ozempic, the science behind GLP-1 agonists, and the complexities of hormonal health as individuals age. The conversation also touches on the government's role in health discourse and the future of oral medications in the weight loss sector. In this conversation, Alessandra Torresani and David delve into the complexities of hormonal balance, aging, and the rising popularity of NAD as an anti-aging treatment. They discuss the science behind NAD, its effects on metabolism, and the potential risks associated with its use, particularly concerning cancer. The conversation also touches on the mental health implications of weight loss drugs and the importance of understanding the broader context of health optimization. In this conversation, Alessandra Torresani and David discuss various aspects of health, including the individual differences in health responses, the emerging 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, and the public's perception of vaccines. They explore the importance of food safety, the need to rebuild trust in science, and the future of health communication, emphasizing the necessity for open dialogue and understanding in addressing health concerns.     Chapters: 00:00Reconnecting and Setting the Stage 02:43Government Insights and Health Discourse 05:40The Impact of Weight Loss Medications 08:20Understanding GLP-1 Agonists 11:09The Future of Oral Medications 14:00Hormonal Changes and Aging 16:48The Complexity of Hormonal Health 22:09Exploring Hormonal Balance and Aging 24:32The Rise of NAD and Anti-Aging Treatments 29:47The Science Behind NAD and Metabolism 32:18Debunking Myths: NAD and Cancer Risks 37:44Mental Health Implications of Weight Loss Drugs 43:07Understanding Individual Differences in Health 44:06The Make America Healthy Again Movement 46:10Vaccines and Public Perception 47:39Food Safety and Health Concerns 49:14Rebuilding Trust in Science 51:38The Future of Health and Science Communication

16 Jun 1h 1min

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani is joined by the radiant Brooke Ashley Rose Johnson—actress, former Miss Alaska, and unstoppable mental health advocate. From the pressure-filled world of elite athletics and pageantry to the raw reality of navigating anxiety, depression, CPTSD, and ADHD, Brooke shares how she turned her struggles into a powerful mission. We dive into her incredible journey of resilience, from childhood misdiagnoses to discovering the overlap between ADHD and bipolar disorder. Brooke opens up about breaking down stigmas, embracing her full self, and launching Crowning Confidence, her groundbreaking program for youth that promotes mental health education, self-esteem, and bullying prevention. With warmth, wisdom, and an unshakable sense of purpose, Brooke reminds us that vulnerability is strength—and that owning our truth is the first step to changing the world.

9 Jun 49min

Join host Alessandra Torresani as she kicks off a new season of EmotionAL Support with a heartwarming episode featuring her childhood friend, Dr. Emily Anhalt. Dr. Anhalt, a renowned clinical psychologist and co-founder of COA, shares insights from her latest book, Flex Your Feelings, on building emotional fitness through mindfulness, curiosity, and empathy. In this episode, Alessandra and Dr. Anhalt explore the seven traits of emotional fitness and discuss practical tips for improving mental wellness, whether you're a high-performing executive or a stressed-out parent. The episode also delves into the importance of community, the benefits of play, and how to navigate personal and professional relationships with empathy and effective communication. Tune in to discover how you can proactively work on your mental health, learn to embrace discomfort, and find balance in everyday life. This engaging conversation is sure to inspire listeners to flex thier feelings and enhance their emotional well-being.   Alessandra: http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani   Dr. Emily Anhalt: Grab Dr. Emily's book here: https://www.dremilyanhalt.com/book Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dremilyanhalt/ Twitter: https://x.com/dremilyanhalt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremilyanhalt/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dremilyanhalt

2 Jun 54min

Alessandra Torresani returns to EmotionAL Support on her 38th birthday with a powerful reflection on identity, motherhood, and mental health. From the red carpet of a mental health gala to the quiet chaos of mom life, she opens up about rediscovering confidence, embracing vulnerability, and the new direction of the show. This episode is a celebration of growth, connection, and the messy magic of becoming. Because growth isn’t linear—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.   http://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani   https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani

29 Mai 8min