Ariza Inspire Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Ariza Inspire Podcast”

404: Understanding Healing Through Stories: Tiffany Guerriero

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Season 4 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast is all about stories. Stories of people's mental health journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. This week, I sat down with Kristen Harootunian to discuss her mental health journey.

Tiffany shares a powerful mental health story of trauma, resilience, and healing. After surviving childhood abuse, loss, bullying, and abusive relationships, she struggled with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts before finding support through therapy and diagnosis, including borderline personality disorder. Tiffany opens up about breaking cycles of trauma, navigating mental illness, and learning to heal. Her journey highlights the realities of PTSD, emotional pain, and recovery—while offering hope, strength, and encouragement for anyone struggling with their mental health.

Follow Tiffany Online:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MentalHealthMotivationStation⁩

Instagram: **https://instagram.com/Brighterdaysareontheway
**TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brighterdaysarecomingg

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

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If you enjoy these conversations, you’ll find deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website—from the Resilience Workshop to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, plus workbooks and self-paced resources to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through challenges.

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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you’re brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step by step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

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Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Web: https://arizainspire.com
Insta: https://instagram.com/arizainspireco
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Ariza_Inspire
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire
FB: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574563487215
Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/ArizaInspire
Email me: podcast@arizainspire.com

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Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572. Additional music licensed from epidemicsound.com

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Disclaimer:
The Ariza Inspire Podcast is not a replacement for traditional therapy. Therapy is the best tool for self-discovery and gives you the best chance of overcoming challenges in your life. This podcast can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy and as another tool in your journey, which means it is for educational purposes only.

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to replace medical, clinical, or professional advice, diagnosis, or intervention. Downloading, subscribing to, and/or listening to this podcast, or using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co., does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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403: Understanding Healing Through Stories: Brooke Marie Bridges

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Author | Speaker | Holistic Coach: Brooke is dedicated to the intersection of overall wellness and ancestral wisdom. By integrating Earth-based healing, such as herbalism and nature immersion, with evidence-based modalities like somatic and cognitive behavioral therapies, Brooke facilitates a deep, restorative connection between the self and the natural world.

Follow Brooke online:
Web: https://www.unearthingwellness.co
Instagram: https://instagram.com/brookembridges

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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

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Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

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Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence, because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

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Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

Website: https://arizainspire.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/arizainspireco
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Ariza_Inspire
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire
Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574563487215
Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/ArizaInspire
Email me: podcast@arizainspire.com

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402: Understanding Healing Through Stories: Colin Quinn

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Colin looked like he had it all. He was a popular three-sport varsity athlete, always trying to improve his social status by partying or not trying too hard in school. He needed to be the “cool” kid. But behind that mask, he was struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and substance use. Feeling stuck, he made a plan to end his life, but sought help instead. He shares his story so others know it is okay to not be okay, and there is always hope. He is a college student and will be graduating in May. He’s a former college athlete and is pursuing a career in sports psychology. Colin is a mental health advocate and shares his story so that others will feel more comfortable sharing theirs, encourages people to chase their dreams, and to keep on fighting

Follow Colin on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/colinquinn__/

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

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If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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Disclaimer:
The Ariza Inspire Podcast is not a replacement for traditional therapy. Therapy is the best tool for self-discovery and gives you the best bet at overcoming challenges in your life. This podcast can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy and as another tool in your journey which means it is just for educational purposes only.

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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401: Understanding Healing Through Stories: Kristen Harootunian

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Kristen's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As she grew older, she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder as a way to cope with her pain. At one point, she even believed she wouldn't live past 18. However, through numerous treatment efforts, Kristen was able to attend long-term treatment, go to a recovery high school, and eventually become a Penn State graduate, where she earned her BA in Corporate Communications. She was honored to be the commencement speaker at her own graduation. Kristen's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As she grew older, she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder as a way to cope with her pain. At one point, she even believed she wouldn't live past 18. Throughout this process, she has replaced harmful coping mechanisms with positive ones. She has been sharing her story all over the country since 2016 alongside Minding Your Mind, talking about the importance of therapy, a support structure, and how to ask for help.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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400: Season 04 Teaser

Samantha Ariza — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

The Ariza Inspire Podcast is back for a new season. This time around, Samantha is bringing a different guest on each episode to share their mental health stories and journeys. Join us each Tuesday at noon for a new episode, a new guest with a new story.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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307: Emotional Burnout vs. Workplace Burnout

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Burnout isn’t always about your job. In this episode, we break down the difference between emotional burnout and workplace burnout, explaining how emotional labor, chronic invalidation, and unprocessed stress drain the nervous system—even outside of work. You’ll learn how to recognize emotional burnout, why rest alone doesn’t always fix it, and what helps restore emotional capacity and resilience.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

===============

Disclaimer:
The Ariza Inspire Podcast is not a replacement for traditional therapy. Therapy is the best tool for self-discovery and gives you the best bet at overcoming challenges in your life. This podcast can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy and as another tool in your journey, which means it is just for educational purposes only.

This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, or professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.

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Links:

Ariza Inspire Co. — Visit my website for more mental health tools and tips.
Join the waitlist for my Understanding Emotions 101 Workshop — Join the waitlist for my Understanding Emotions 101 Workshop, coming in March 2026. Understanding Emotions 101 is your beginner-friendly guide to navigating feelings with clarity and confidence. Learn how emotions work, why they matter, and how to manage them mindfully using real-life examples and practical tools. Perfect for anyone looking to build emotional awareness, reduce overwhelm, and respond more effectively to life’s ups and downs.

306: Allostasis vs Homeostasis: Why Your Body Wants Thresholds, Not Balance

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Your body isn’t trying to stay perfectly balanced—it’s trying to adapt. In this episode, we explore the difference between homeostasis and allostasis, and why chronic stress, burnout, and fatigue make more sense through an allostatic lens. You’ll learn how the body adjusts to repeated demands, why stress accumulates over time, and how understanding thresholds—not balance—changes how we approach self-care and recovery.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode, as well as support docs and resources to aid you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, ideas, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

===============

Disclaimer:
The Ariza Inspire Podcast is not a replacement for traditional therapy. Therapy is the best tool for self-discovery and gives you the best bet at overcoming challenges in your life. This podcast can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy and as another tool in your journey, which means it is just for educational purposes only.

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305: The Science of Resentment & Rumination

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Why does resentment linger — and why does your mind keep replaying what hurt you? In this episode, we unpack the psychology and neuroscience of resentment and rumination, explaining how unresolved boundaries, unmet needs, and lack of repair keep the brain stuck in repetitive loops. You’ll learn why “letting it go” rarely works, how resentment differs from anger, and what actually helps reduce mental replay and emotional exhaustion.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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304: The Brain as a Prediction Machine: The Anxiety Error

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Anxiety isn’t just fear—it’s often a prediction problem. In this episode, we explore how the brain constantly predicts the future and how anxiety emerges when those predictions become biased toward threat. Using modern neuroscience and predictive processing models, we explain why anxiety feels physical, persistent, and convincing. You’ll learn how uncertainty, body signals, and anticipation interact—and what helps retrain the brain when anxiety predictions keep misfiring.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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208: Mental Health Hot Takes: Setting Boundaries is Selfish

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Season finale! Thank you for joining me for Season 02 of The Ariza Inspire Podcast. I'm already hard at work on getting Season 03 ready, to be released in 2026. I hope you enjoyed and got something out of this past season of the podcast. Make sure you follow me on all the social accounts (links below) to keep up to date wth the next season.

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Setting boundaries isn’t selfish; it’s survival and can be necessary. In this episode, we unpack why people often feel guilty for saying “no” and how boundary-setting is misunderstood by those who benefit from our lack of them. Backed by attachment theory and interpersonal psychology, we explore how boundaries protect mental health, improve relationships, and reduce burnout. Includes scripts, examples, and tips to get started.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid

===============

Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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207: Mental Health Hot Takes: Access to Therapy Is a Privilege, Not a Right

Samantha Ariza — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

This episode tackles the uncomfortable truth: therapy is often only accessible to those with time, money, and privilege. We explore the systemic inequities in mental health care ranging from racial and economic disparities to rural access gaps. You’ll hear about the digital divide in telehealth, insurance barriers, and how the current system fails marginalized communities. The episode ends with hope: community care models and ideas for a more inclusive path forward.

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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts

===============

Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.

===============

Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid
30-minute Resilience Skill Workshop: https://arizainspire.com/workshops

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Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.

===============

Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.

===============

Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572

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