Surviving Roots: A Crash Course in Turning Pain into Potential
Hosted by Cari Fund, Surviving Roots is a podcast for anyone ready to reclaim their power, rewrite their story, and truly live—not just exist. Cari is just like you—someone navigating life's challenges, healing from the past, and discovering the strength in shared experiences. With a background in clinical nutrition and deep personal exploration, Cari offers valuable insights and personal anecdotes, empowering listeners to understand and heal their emotional wounds. Through raw conversations and expert insights, Cari connects with listeners to show that we have more in common than we think. Together, we'll turn up the volume on our voices, embrace life with grit and grace, and transform pain into power.
Episodes
Why You Feel Lonely Even When You're Surrounded by People — Dr. Sylvia Kalicinski on Lonely AF
You can be in a room full of people, successful, loved — and still feel completely alone. In this episode, host Cari Fund sits down with trauma-informed therapist Dr. Sylvia Kalicinski, host of The Dr. Sylvia K Show and author of the brand-new book Lonely AF: A Therapist's No BS Guide to Feeling Less Alone. Sylvia opens up about losing her mother at age two, growing up as the golden child of a n
No Contact With Toxic Family: How to Heal & Reclaim Yourself — Dr. Sherrie Campbell, "You Are Home"
What if going no contact was never the choice — what if it was simply the moment you stopped your own abuse? Licensed psychologist Dr. Sherrie Campbell returns to Surviving Roots for her third visit — and this is hands-down our most powerful (and yes, most fun) conversation yet. Dr. Sherrie is one of the nation's leading voices on estrangement, toxic family, and cycle breaking, and her new book
When Life Shakes You to the Core: Grief, Motherhood & Choosing Joy — Dara Levan on Shaken to the Core
What if the worst thing that ever happened to you became the thing that finally woke you up? In this episode of Surviving Roots, Cari Fund welcomes back author, speaker, and Every Soul Has a Story podcast host Dara Levan to talk about her new novel, Shaken to the Core — a deeply human story about grief, marriage, identity, and what we do with the time we have left. Dara opens up about the sudden l
Why Anxiety Means You're Disconnected From Yourself — Genny Rumancik on The Wisdom of Feeling
What if anxiety isn't a flaw to fix, but a signal you've stopped listening to yourself? In this episode of Surviving Roots, Cari Fund sits down with mental health educator and author Genny Rumancik — founder of The EQ School and the voice behind a 170,000-strong community — to unpack what emotional intelligence actually looks like in real life. They get into the moment at a Portland airport that c
From Surviving to Free: Motherhood at 20, DV Recovery, Self-Forgiveness, and Reinvention
What if your "glow up" isn't a makeover… it's freedom? In this episode of Surviving Roots, Cari Fund sits down with Michelle Fairburn—mother of two, creator, and living proof that rebuilding a life doesn't happen overnight (and doesn't need to look polished to be powerful). Michelle became a mom at 20, navigated profound loss and a mother wound, and later survived a fast-moving relationship that t
Breaking Free From a Narcissistic Partner: Financial Protection, Parenting, and Exit Strategy with Camille Zhuk
What does it really take to leave a narcissistic relationship—without losing your finances, your children, or yourself? In this powerful episode of Surviving Roots, I sit down with Camille Zhuk, founder of The Breaking Free Project, a strategic support platform designed to help individuals—especially parents—safely exit narcissistic relationships. With a background in business and finance and spec
The Mental Load of Motherhood and Why Asking for Help Changes Everything with Diana Arango
Motherhood isn't just hard — it's heavy. And one of the biggest invisible weights? Feeding everyone… every single day. In this episode of Surviving Roots, Cari Fund sits down with Diana Arango, co-founder + CEO of Chefpost, a platform connecting busy families with vetted personal chefs on demand. Diana shares the real story behind Chefpost: how her own burnout as a working mom sparked a mission to
Reinvention After Loss: Confidence, Healing, and Finding Love Again at 40
At twenty, she found her father after a fatal accident. At forty, she lost her husband to cancer. And somehow—she found herself again. In this deeply human conversation, lifestyle and beauty creator Rachael Potash shares how she turned unimaginable loss into a story of reinvention, healing, and hope. Now a mom of two and a bonus mom to four, she's helping women over 40 feel seen, confident, and ho
The Golden Child Effect: Breaking Free from Roles That Keep You Small
What happens when the "good daughter" wakes up to the truth? In this week's Surviving Roots episode, Cari Fund sits down with Lauren Smallcomb — certified mind-body practitioner, trauma survivor, and author of Golden Child: My Descent to Scapegoat and Rise to Freedom. Lauren shares her journey from being the adored "golden child" in a rigid, religious family to becoming the scapegoat when faith, p
The Cost of Self-Abandonment: Why Boundaries Heal More Than They Hurt
What if setting boundaries isn't about pushing people away — but about finally choosing yourself? In this powerful and deeply relatable conversation, Harvard-trained clinical psychologist Dr. Sabrina Romanoff joins Surviving Roots host Cari Fund to unpack the hidden patterns that shape our relationships — from friendship breakups and people-pleasing to the repetition of childhood wounds in our adu
The Messy Side of Awakening with Michelle Garside
In this raw and soul-stirring episode of Surviving Roots, Cari Fund sits down with Michelle Garside—co-founder of Soul Camp Creative, a sacred strategy house helping purpose-driven people and organizations tell their most authentic stories. Michelle has spent her career creating transformative spaces like Soul Camp, The Enchantment Experience, and The Connecticut Women's Club. But beneath all that
From Divorce to Book Deals: Asha Elias on Reinvention, Writing, and Motherhood
Writer, mother, and reluctant socialite Asha Elias joins Cari to talk about reinvention, resilience, and the real story behind her rapid rise as a novelist. From launching Pink Glass Houses to celebrating the release of The Namaste Club, Asha opens up about writing, grief, raising two kids post-divorce, and how dating a younger man has taught her about love and softness in relationships. Asha has
Outsource the Overwhelm: Peacock Parenting, Delegation & Redefining Time with Proxy
What if parenthood came with a delegation plan, a support team, and a mission statement? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Christine Landis—former CEO turned intentional parenting strategist and founder of Peacock Parent—to unpack how executive-level planning, outsourcing, and mindset shifts can radically reduce burnout and bring joy back to motherhood. We explore: The hidden mental
From Grief to Awakening: How 'My Drumbeats' Became Her Healing Anthem
In this soulful episode of Surviving Roots, host Cari Fund welcomes Haitian-born artist and yoga teacher Anick Vorbe, author of the spiritual memoir My Drumbeats. Together, they explore how grief can become a sacred portal of awakening. Anick shares her healing journey through the sudden loss of her brother, her experiences with ayahuasca, and how writing this book became a way to reconnect with h
Tracy Campoli on Aging Fiercely, Building a Body You Love, and Ditching Toxic Wellness Trends
This week on Surviving Roots, wellness expert and digital fitness mentor Tracy Campoli joins us for an empowering conversation about redefining strength, beauty, and health — especially for women over 40. With over 300,000 YouTube subscribers and a thriving program called Total Body Transformation, Tracy shares her real-life journey from insecure dancer to thriving entrepreneur, wife, and mom. We
From Medicated to Meditated: Spiritual Awakening, Grief, and Healing Through Energy
This week on Surviving Roots, I sit down with spiritual healer and author Lauren Courtney to explore what it really looks like to heal from the inside out. Lauren shares her journey from being a medicated teen in New York to becoming a Miami-based energy healer, sound therapist, and author of Glow Up Your Chakras. Together, we unpack the truth about healing highs, spiritual awakenings, reconnectin
Rewriting the Mother Code with Dr. Gertrude Lyons: A Cosmic Approach to Motherhood
This week on Surviving Roots, I'm joined by Dr. Gertrude Lyons—master coach, podcast host, and author of Rewrite the Mother Code: From Sacrifice to Stardust. Her work is a deep call to reclaim the way we mother—not just our children, but ourselves. With features in The Guardian, Motherly, Thrive Global, Business Insider, and beyond, Dr. Lyons is leading a movement to challenge generational norms,
Valeria Lipovetsky: On Motherhood, Identity, and Breaking the Rules We Inherited
This week on Surviving Roots, I'm joined by the one and only Valeria Lipovetsky—a content creator, entrepreneur, podcast host, and mother of three whose grace and grit have built more than just a brand—they've sparked a movement. In this deeply honest conversation, Valeria and I talk about what it means to mother ourselves while mothering others, the silent pressure of perfectionism, and the gener
Grieving the Mother You Never Had: A Conversation with Dr. Sherrie Campbell
This week on Surviving Roots, we're kicking off Mother's Day month with a truth bomb that's long overdue: not everyone celebrates this day with ease. Dr. Sherrie Campbell—nationally recognized psychologist, best-selling author of But It's Your Family…, and an unshakeable voice in the estrangement and healing space—returns for a raw, resonant conversation about grieving the mother you never had. To
Stop Walking on Eggshells: How to Set Boundaries with Elegance & Power with Julie Helms
What if power didn't have to be loud—and grace was your secret strength? In this episode of Surviving Roots, host Cari Fund sits down with Julie Helms, global business leader and viral content creator, to explore what it really means to communicate with grace, lead with confidence, and set boundaries without losing your kindness. Julie shares her incredible journey from being the "Pitbull in Pumps
Mean Girl Moms, Toxic Friendships & How to Protect Your Peace with Dr. Noelle Santorelli
If you've ever found yourself deep in the drama of Mean Girl Moms on Instagram, chances are you've come across Dr. Noelle Santorelli. A licensed clinical psychologist and expert in relational aggression, Dr. Santorelli has spent over a decade helping high-achieving women break free from toxic family cycles, navigate covert bullying, and reclaim their peace. In this episode, we dive into: The psy
Buried or Built: What Parental Rejection Teaches Us
20 minutes. One microphone. And the truth I've never shared—until now. In this week's solo episode of Surviving Roots, I'm speaking words out loud that I've only ever carried in silence. The story of estrangement from my mother. The text I never thought I'd get. The moment I realized rejection wasn't about me—it was the door to peace. When a parent can't love you… it can either bury you or build y
Embracing Magic, Intuition & Pleasure with Dana Myers
In this captivating conversation, Cari Fund sits down with Dana Myers, a tarot reader, spellcaster, and ritual designer, to explore the magic of manifestation, intuition, and pleasure. Dana shares her journey from the sexual wellness industry to embracing the power of rituals and self-discovery. Together, they discuss the balance between hard work and manifestation, the importance of leaning into
Kyle Gray on Angelic Guidance, Spiritual Awakening & His New Book 'Angels Are With You Now'
Are angels really with us? Internationally recognized spiritual teacher and bestselling author Kyle Gray joins Surviving Roots Podcast to talk about his latest book, Angels Are With You Now. Known for making spirituality accessible, Kyle shares how we can invite angelic support into our lives, strengthen our intuition, and recognize divine signs around us. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ Kyle's per
The Words You Use Create Your Life—A Mindset Shift with Case Kenny
In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Case Kenny—author, mindfulness expert, and host of the hit podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? Case has built a massive platform making mindset work simple, practical, and relatable. His viral affirmations, handwritten in bold red ink, have helped millions reframe their thoughts and take ownership of their lives. We dive into: The power of self-talk and h
The Hardest Choices Change Everything: Healing, Boundaries & Becoming
Cari Fund is a writer, podcast host, and bold advocate for self-growth, healing, and breaking cycles. Through Surviving Roots, she shares raw, unfiltered conversations about choosing yourself, setting boundaries, and rewriting the stories that no longer serve you—because healing isn't about perfection, it's about becoming who you were always meant to be. In her first-ever solo episode, she's shari
The Fight Within: How Surrender and Self-Love Lead to True Transformation
Olivia Young—speaker, writer, healer, and founder of Liv Young—is a force of nature when it comes to self-love and transformation. As the host of The Liv Young Show podcast, Olivia shares her raw, inspiring journey of turning pain into power, balancing grit with grace through movement, plant medicine, and spiritual alignment. In this episode, she dives deep into the art of surrender, the surprisin
Overcoming Fear, Building Success, and Redefining Family Values
Gary Lipovetsky is a trailblazing entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host of the RISE Podcast, where he explores the journeys of extraordinary individuals and the lessons behind their success. With a career spanning successful ventures in e-commerce and digital media, Gary is also the co-founder of Valeria Inc., alongside his wife, Valeria Lipovetsky—a global influencer with a cumulative audience
Empower Your Wellness Journey: The Benefits of Mindful Running
Sara Hayes is a running and mindfulness expert, coach, speaker, and the founder of Mindful Miles - a running and wellness community focused on teaching women how to heal, reclaim confidence, and have fun again through movement. Her unique approach to running has garnered attention from outlets such as Runners World, Well + Good, and Women's Health. Her practice is rooted in intuitive movement, per
Aligning with Alissa Alter: Where Is Your Vagina Pointing?
Alissa Alter is also known as The Amy Poehler of Vaginas for her unfiltered and unapologetic approach to destigmatizing the female body and experience. A former Broadway performer and certified classical Pilates, Alissa is the host of the podcast Myth of Motherhood and author of Unstuck: From Understudy To The Study of Your Undercarriage.
Managing Grief with DayNew
Karine is the co-founder of DayNew, a new technology platform designed to help people through trauma associated with grief and loss. After experiencing the sudden loss of her spouse, she realized that managing grief encompasses needs beyond what therapy alone can provide, both in her professional life and as a mother. Karine is a busy mother of three, and a prolific writer who shares her journey o
Healing From Toxic Family Cycles: Breaking Generational Patterns Through Fiction
Dara Levan is an author and storyteller who explores resilience, healing, and the power of connection in her work. Known for her podcast "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara uses her writing and podcast to foster genuine conversations on topics like breaking cycles, family dynamics and self discovery. In her debut novel, It Could Be Worse, she delves into themes of toxic parenting, healing, and redefini
Heal Generational Trauma with Family Constellation Therapy
Marine Sélénée, is a Family Constellations therapist and the author of Connected Fates, Separate Destinies. Marine specializes in helping people heal generational trauma and break free from inherited patterns, enabling them to reclaim their lives. With years of experience and a passion for exploring family dynamics, she guides individuals through transformative healing practices to create lasting
From Four Loko to Fatherhood: A Journey of Reinvention and Redemption
Chris Hunter is a groundbreaking entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Four Loko, one of the most iconic alcoholic beverages in recent history. After navigating both success and challenges, Chris pivoted to co-found Koia, a company revolutionizing the plant-based beverage market. In his gripping memoir, Blackout Punch: An Entrepreneur's Journey from Chaos, Chris opens up about his quest for
6 Steps To Overcome Mom Burnout
Michelle Grosser is a trial attorney, pastor, nervous system fitness expert, certified master life coach, and host of the top 20 parenting podcast, The Calm Mom. Through somatic and neuroscience-based modalities, she coaches women to reconnect with the wisdom of their body to discover what's beneath their triggers and emotions, so they can heal & find peace in the present. She deeply believes that
From Misunderstood to Empowered: Healing Your Inner Child
Candace Van Dell is a globally recognized Spiritual Teacher & Healer. She has her Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology along with many different certifications in holistic health, reiki master, yoga and meditation. With her ability to channel the inner child and understand hidden subconscious messages, She is often referred to by her clients as "the emotional guru". Candace teaches over 12 onl
Cutting Ties with Toxic Family
Join us for a powerful episode with Dr. Sherrie Campbell, a licensed psychologist with over two decades of experience in transforming lives through counseling and psychotherapy. Dr. Sherrie will share her profound insights on childhood trauma, personality disorders, and cutting ties with toxic relationships. Renowned for her global coaching sessions and popular "Sherapy Thursdays" on Instagram, Dr
Adventures in Loss, Cancer, & Other Inconveniences
Gila Pfeffer is an essayist and humorist. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, McSweeney's, Today.com, and Oprah Daily. Gila's monthly "Feel It on the First" campaign uses humor to remind women to prioritize their breast health. She splits her time between New York City and London. NEARLY DEPARTED is her first book.
Unleash Your Stories: Say It Out Loud!
Vasavi Kumar is a first-generation Indian immigrant raised on Long Island, NY. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19, she made it her mission to understand her mind, starting by making room to hear herself think. Through her 'Say It Out Loud' podcast and book, keynote talks, and group programs, Vasavi has taught thousands of entrepreneurs, creatives, and artists how to work through any situation—b
Transforming Setbacks into Life Lessons
Sabrina Badeaux is the founder of Kanekshun, a wellness brand that offers innovative multi-sensory experiences combining breath-work, movement, sound healing, and meditation to enhance well-being in corporate environments. Sabrina is driven by her principal, "What impact will I make today?" and is dedicated to forging meaningful connections and delivering impactful experiences through her authenti
The Shut The F*ck Up Method
Jorge Perez is an author, agent, producer and keynote speaker. He has been in the personal development and entertainment industry for over 20 years. He Is the host of the Outliers TV podcast and has created shows for Bravo. He Is also an award winning documentary filmmaker about the homeless epidemic in Los Angeles. We discuss finding joy in acceptance, breaking the complaining cycle, and how sile
Communicate with Your Kids Like a Pro!
Cameron (Dr. Cam) Caswell, a.k.a. "The Teen Translator," gets it! As an Adolescent Psychologist & parent of a teen, she knows the struggles of navigating those tough years firsthand. As a private practitioner, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author, she offers hope and practical strategies to help parents unlock their teen's confidence & resilience, build deeper, stronger connections with them, an
How to Live, Laugh, and Love After Divorce
Rob Roseman is a man of many skills; he's a former Las Vegas Poker Pro, memorable contestant of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Author of a 5-star rated book on Amazon, has interviewed over 100 dads on the Dad the Best I Can podcast. On top of all this, he founded WTF Divorce -- a platform with 138,000 followers built to help people learn, laugh, and feel less alone in divorce. Rob and Cari have
A Journey Through Sobriety, Loss, & Motherhood
Nikki Spoelstra is the host of "The Know with Nikki Spo" - a globally top ranked podcast which highlights the stories of individuals who are finding and celebrating their deepest sense of inner knowing in a space where it's not about knowing everything, but about coming to know ourselves. Nikki does not hold back when sharing her life story with Cari and this is an episode that's not to be missed.
Discovering A Life Without Alcohol
Amanda Kuda is an alcohol-free lifestyle expert, holistic life coach, speaker and author living, working and playing in Austin, TX. As a coach, she teaches a modern approach to personal development, self-actualization and spiritual enlightenment through the lens of elective sobriety. Amanda's first book, Unbottled Potential was recently released. Amanda shares with Cari the possibility that living
Unlocking Intuition & Strategy with the Godmother
Leigh Esposito is an author, coach, tarotist, and former attorney with a B.A. in English from Penn and a J.D. from Columbia Law. Her coaching style combines the strategic acumen of a litigator with an artist's eye for creative expansion, all informed by her trademark positivity and penchant for identifying and maximizing her clients' strengths. Leigh also draws on the insight and intuition gleaned
Breaking Free, the Power of Releasing Trauma
Tiffany Levy has developed a lifelong love for the transformative practice of Yoga and specializes in trauma, restorative & stress relief. She's the co-founder of 420 Space Yoga, leading students and mindfulness retreats worldwide. She's been mentioned in Wall Street Journal, Thrillist, Miami New Times and more. Tiffany joins Cari for a bold conversation about healing trauma and the profound impa
Empowering Tips for Living an Awakened Life
Catherine Duncan is an Integrative Spiritual Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Blogger, and Minister. She is committed to whole-person healing with a focus on emotional and spiritual health. As a childhood cancer survivor and having lived through a Near Death Experience she's guided by both professional and personal experiences. Her book, Everyday Awakening came out in 2023. Catherine shares wit
Finding Transformation and Healing Through Comedy
Alyce Chan is a multifaceted talent known as a speaker, writer, producer, and stand-up comedian with a global presence. Her comedy has graced renowned venues such as The Stand and the New York Comedy Club in New York. On top of all this, she is also the creative mind behind MOMCOMNYC, a parenting platform that has garnered attention from Vogue, which named it one of the top six funniest parenting
Embracing Vulnerability: Harnessing the Power of Our Stories to Overcome Self-Doubt
Richelle Fredson is a book publishing coach and consultant who works with aspiring and published authors to create impactful book concepts and competitive book proposals. Many of Richelle's clients go on to receive impressive offers from their dream publishers. In this impactful episode, Richelle shared how to understand the power of your own story and leave self-doubt behind.
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