In this episode, we have our first installment of a special new mini series titled Living Your Activism. In this series, we're talking to activists and advocates across a wide variety of missions and passions about how they found their thing, what they do to stay grounded and connected with joy amidst all the chaos in the world, and what it means to truly live their activism, not just as a checkbox or some burnout inducing giant commitment, but as something that's interwoven throughout their life in a nourishing, sustainable way.

Our guest for this first installment is Ella Magers, MSW, a holistic fitness rebel on a mission to ignite fierce compassion and revolutionize what it means to be healthy and fit.

She’s a thought-leader, professional speaker, podcast host, and the dynamic creator and host of the Evolution of Fitness with Ella YouTube show—a space where strength meets soul and transformation goes way beyond the physical.

Vegan since 1995, Ella holds a Master’s in Social Work and is a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and food freedom coach. With over two decades of experience in the wellness space, she’s helped thousands break free from toxic diet culture, rewire self-sabotaging patterns, and build powerful, plant-strong bodies they love living in.

Ella is a former bikini bodybuilding champion and lifelong athlete who blends mindset, movement, and plant-based nutrition into transformational coaching that sticks. She was named one of the world’s top trainers by Bodybuilding.com and Shape Magazine, and serves on the board of Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary.

Based in Miami Beach, you’ll find her training, teaching, filming, and adventuring with her beloved rescue chihuahua, Fiona.

This episode covers:

• 01:39 - Tea & Crumpets: Emerson’s experience with trying hair glossing
• 05:07 - Step Into My Office: Can seasonal depression happen in summer?
• 10:26 - Living Your Activism Interview with Ella Magers
• 40:46 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: A triple organ transplant recipient met with his donors family

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Triple organ transplant recipient meets with donors family

Connect with Ella Magers:

• Website: https://www.ellamagers.com
• IG: @sexyfitvegan

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website:...

Spirituality, religion, and being “woo-woo” are all hot topics these days – especially here in Nashville!

In this episode, Val and Emerson tackle WTF spirituality actually means, how it differs from religion, how it intertwines with existentialism, and low-stakes ways to engage with it while also avoiding spiritual bypassing.

And, as always, we get into other good stuff, including a spooky airBNB story from Val’s cousin (and The Gaia Center’s Director of Operations) Rebecca 👻

This episode covers:

• 06:04 - Tea & Crumpets: Val’s new cooking routine + Emerson’s obsession with Swig
• 10:32 - Step Into My Office: Impermanence and Existentialism
• 14:32 - The Lore: Rebecca’s Spooky AirBNB experience
• 19:54 - The DSM: The Spirituality, Religion + Woo Woo Conundrum
• 50:26 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY!
• 52:48 - Val Pick: "Goose Snow Cone" by Aimee Mann
• 53:50 - "Older" by Lizzy McAlpine
• 54:58 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: How a music conductor is navigating Parkinson’s Disease + South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderie

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Pew Research on Millennials and Religion
• John Welwood (spiritual bypassing)
• Goose Snow Cone by Aimee Mann
• Older by Lizzy McAlpine
• Conductor with Parkinson’s Gets Brain Stimulation Device to Stop Shakes so He Can Lead Orchestra Once Again
• South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderie

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website: www.gaiacenter.co

DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit www.findahelpline.com for international resources.

For many people, hearing “couples therapy” brings up the idea of a relationship being in crisis or on the brink of ending – and while couples therapy can be impactful in those cases, there is so much more to it and so many other circumstances where it can be beneficial. In this episode, Valerie and Emerson get into what couples therapy really is, when it’s helpful, when it’s not helpful, and suggestions for what to look for if you’re interested in couples therapy.

This episode covers:

• 00:03:23 - Tea & Crumpets: Zumba at the YMCA + Harmen Hoek
• 00:06:53 - The Lore: How Couples Therapy Helped Val
• 00:14:46 - The DSM: What Couples Therapy Really Is
• 00:53:20 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY!
• 00:55:27 - Em Pick: "A Thousand Trees" by Stereophonics
• 00:57:13 - Val Pick: "In Keeping Secrets of Earth: 3" by Coheed & Cambria
• 00:58:31 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: How Massachusetts became the only state to reduce food waste + how a 90 year old woman has saved over 10,000 animals

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Harmen Hoek
• A Thousand Trees- by Stereophonics
• In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 - by Coheed and Cambria
• Waste not, want not? How Massachusetts became the only state to reduce food waste
• 90 year old woman has saved over 10,000 animals
• Gottman Method
• Emotion Focused Therapy
• Imago
• RLT
• PACT

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website: www.gaiacenter.co

DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit

Despite misinformed pop culture statements, OCD isn’t a punchline—it’s a chronic brain loop that can be incredibly challenging for individuals to receive the care they need. In this episode, Val and Em get into the ins-and-outs of OCD, including suggestions for folks who are struggling with it, as well as folks who have a friend or loved one who is struggling. And, as always, we get into plenty of other fun stuff including TV recs and some hopeful headlines – like a rancher’s dog rescuing an infant 🥹

This episode covers:

• 04:40 - Tea & Crumpets: The Last of Us + Good American Family
• 08:07 - Step Into My Office: Is it just overthinking or is it OCD?
• 12:53 - The DSM: Why OCD Is NOT Just Being “So Organized”
• 36:37 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY!
• 40:50 - Val’s Pick: "Leave" by Glen Hansard (Live at Stubb's BBQ)
• 43:50 - Em’s Pick: "twilight zone" by Ariana Grande
• 45:56 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: Hundreds of volunteers helping an indie bookseller move spaces + a rancher’s dog leading an infant to safety

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Long durations from symptom onset to diagnosis and from diagnosis to treatment in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A retrospective self-report study
• Thriving in Relationships When You Have OCD book
• Hundreds of Volunteers Form a Human Chain to Get 9,000 Books to New Location for Indie Bookstore
• A true good boy: rancher’s dog leads two-year-old Arizona child to safety
• Glen Hansard "Leave" - Live at Stubb's BBQ
• "twilight zone" by Ariana Grande

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG:

If you’ve ever struggled with a rough inner critic, you’re not alone. While the judgments of the world can certainly get in the way of living your best life, we’re often our own worst enemies. But the good news is that Valerie and Emerson have you covered with a deep dive into the psychology of self-criticism and tips for how to navigate it. And, as always, we get into plenty of other fun stuff, like what “Queening Out” means 💁🏻‍♀️

This episode covers:

• 04:21 - Tea & Crumpets: Book Lovers by Emily Henry and Dense Bean Salad
• 07:41 - Step Into My Office: Navigating shame for not “being productive”
• 10:58 - The DSM: Let’s Talk About The The Inner Critic
• 37:55 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY!
• 39:14 - Emerson Pick: "Leave (Get Out)" by JoJo
• 40:23 - Valerie Pick: "Grace" by Conventional Wisdom
• 45:50 - Wait...What? - Queening Out
• 47:19 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: Cory Booker + Expanded Emergency Contraceptive Access in England

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry
• Second Arrow of Suffering Principle
• Leave (Get Out) by JoJo
• Grace by Conventional Wisdom
• @posterjournal on IG
• Cory Booker segment
• Morning after pill to be offered without charge in pharmacies across England

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website: www.gaiacenter.co

DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit www.findahelpline.com for international resources.

If you’ve struggled to build or maintain friendships as an adult, you’re not alone – and in this episode, we’ve got you covered!

This episode covers:

• 02:20 - Tea & Crumpets: Adolescence on Netflix + Lights On audio documentary
• 07:44 - Step Into My Office: Tips for a fizzling friendship
• 12:41 - The DSM: Seeking/Building Adult Friendships in these trying times
• 32:41 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY!
• 34:16 - Val’s Pick: "Graduation (Friends Forever)" by Vitamin C
• 35:03 - Em’s Pick: "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars
• 35:12 - Fire Dumpster Phoenix: Gene therapy for sickle cell anemia + a trapped dolphin galvanizing a cleanup crew

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Lights on audio documentary
• “Math Lady” meme
• Adolescence on Netflix
• Intergenerational relationships article
• Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C
• Count on Me by Bruno Mars
• Ground Breaking Gene Therapy Treatment Cured Sickle Cell Anemia
• A dolphin trapped in a Florida waterway galvanized this cleanup team

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website: www.gaiacenter.co

DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit www.findahelpline.com for international resources.

Today’s episode is so exciting as we have our first guest external to The Gaia Center – the phenomenal Jayne Mattingly.

JAYNE MATTINGLY is a disability advocate and eating disorder helping professional. She is also the Founder of the non-for-profit The AND Initiative, which aims to provide inspiration, advocacy, resources, support, and the gifting mobility aids to those with chronic illness and physical disabilities. Jayne lives in South Carolina with her husband and pets.Through her personal experiences and in sharing the stories from everyday people, Jayne illustrates that our body has not and will never be against us. Her new book, THIS IS BODY GRIEF is where we begin.

This episode covers:

• 02:17 - Tea & Crumpets: Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix, Structured app, and Kendrick Lamar at the Superbowl Halftime Show
• 11:10 - Step Into My Office: Puberty and all the feels it brings
• 17:57 - The Lore: Jayne’s experiences with menopause in her 30s
• 25:00 - The DSM: Body Grief
• 50:04 - Now That's What I Call...OKAAAAY! "Supergirl" by Krystal Harris

Resources + Stuff Mentioned in This Episode:

• Supergirl by Krystal Harris
• Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix
• Structured app

Connect with Jayne Mattingly:

• Website: https://www.jaynemattingly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaynemattingly/?hl=en
• Buy THIS IS BODY GRIEF: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740125/this-is-body-grief-by-jayne-mattingly/

Connect with Us:

• Send a story or ask for advice: butforrealpod@gmail.com
• But For Real on IG: @butforrealpod
• Now That's What I Call... OKAAAAY Playlist
• The Gaia Center on IG: @thegaiacenter
• Val on IG: @valkaymartin
• The Gaia Center website: www.gaiacenter.co

DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit www.findahelpline.com for international resources.