Let's Talk Elephants

Send us a textLexie Engdahl has a complex relationship with her father, who is currently serving time in jail for an attempted homicide in a road rage incident. Lexie's dad is a Vietnam veteran who has struggled with PTSD his whole life as well. Some major topics discussed:- the difficulty of growing up in a divorced household & the pressure to pick sides- the nuance of people & how we all have lovable parts of us no matter who we are- the importance of choosing forgiveness and love over resentment and hate- the struggle of having older parents- issues in the judicial system

Send us a textNatalie Dempsey had her daughter when she was 21 years old and has been navigating life as a single mom for the last 5 years. There are many stigmas/stereotypes attached to being a single mom, some good & some not so good. Some major topics discussed:- the challenges of having a child while in a struggling relationship- the sacrifices you have to make for a child, financially and emotionally- modern society's lack of family values & the high divorce/separation rate- how growing up in a divorced/separated household or witnessing a divorce/separation affects children- troubles with dating when you have a child

Send us a textMy guest today is my brother, Caden Farley. Having a brother that is so close in age to me has been like having an inside look into the way men's heads work. Caden has always been honest with me when it comes to advice on dating, men, their intentions, etc. because he's been in both long-term relationships and casual flings with women throughout his life. Obviously, his experience is one of many, but we can all recognize certain patterns within our own gender, so one experience is still a valuable one. Some major topics discussed:- how a guy acts when he is genuinely interested in a girl vs. something casual- different attachment styles (anxious vs. avoidant) and how they handle intimacy- the way social media makes it difficult to commit because of the perceived limitless options- how a guy can tell when a woman has respect for herself or not

Send us a Text Message.Jade Gutierrez is 23 years old and has practiced her faith for her entire life. Religion is something that has become less popular and more controversial amongst younger generations, but Jade has found a way to incorporate it into her life while still having fun and exploring herself. Some major topics covered:- our differences in beliefs when it comes to the afterlife- how she reconciles being Christian while also still engaging in some activities that have not been traditionally accepted in Christianity- her experience with betrayal/infidelity & the importance of forgiveness regardless of religious denomination- the difference between the ego and the soul

Send us a Text Message.Dawn Bailey, who also happens to be my grandma, got married at a very young age, before she really knew herself or her partner (my grandpa). They were married for 49 years, up until my grandpa's passing three years ago, and they struggled through a tumultuous relationship for a good part of their lives. He was the only person she had ever been with.Some major topics covered:- signs of a controlling and possessive partner- how childhood development, abandonment issues, and attachment styles affect your relationships for the rest of your life (generational trauma)- the struggle to find your identity when you are too lost in a relationship

Send us a Text Message.Savannah Tuttrup grew up with two parents that battled addiction. She moved from Iowa to Las Vegas when she was 24 years old with her younger sister, who she has been a parental figure to for her entire life. Savannah and her sister are only 9 years apart, so she took on the role of a parent as a child herself.Some major topics covered:- what it was like for her to witness her parents struggling with addiction- the pressure of being a role model/guardian for a sibling- how she has become better equipped to be a parent when she does decide to have kids

Send us a Text Message.Glen Simpson is the Senior Director at Community Ambulance and has been a part of the EMS community here in Las Vegas since 2004. He shares some of the struggles of maintaining good mental health in a career where you are constantly expose to trauma and stress. Glen was a first responder at the Route 91 mass shooting in 2017, and he shared an in-depth account of that night and the impact it had on him. Some major topics covered:- some of the most tragic/impactful calls he's received over the years- the struggle of remaining emotionally available for the other people in your life when you have to turn your emotions off for work- the stigma around mental health & speaking up when you need help- how, despite witnessing atrocities, he still believes that 99% of people in the world are good

Rafael Arroyo is running for Nevada State Assembly in the upcoming 2024 election. He shares his vision for how he would be an ethical & effective representative if he were elected. Although Rafael is running under the Republican Party, he emphasizes the importance of representing ALL Nevada citizens. Some major topics covered:- corruption in both the state & federal government- what it looks like to fix a broken system- differences between the republican & democrat parties- his intentions behind running for office & what it takes to be a good leader

Ameer Abdullah has played in the NFL for the last 9 years, having played for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders. Some major topics covered:- common stereotypes of pro athletes (unintelligent, superficial, bad with money, cheaters)- the demanding nature of the job, both mentally and physically- if race plays a role in choosing pro sports

Rachel Macias has experienced two different instances of sexual assault: once when she was 7 and again when she was 16. Some major topics covered:-how experiences of sexual assault/harassment affect sexuality-the way trauma is non-linear & some days are more triggering than others-the difficulty in trusting others after being assaulted-losing faith in the legal system to handle sexual assault cases appropriately

When Michael Richter was just 15 years old, his mom Wendy was killed by her husband. Since then, Michael has turned to music as both a creative outlet and coping mechanism to share his story and connect with others. Some major topics covered:- warning signs of an abusive relationship- how substances exacerbate domestic violence- coping after a traumatic event/death- how his mom inspires him as a musician to this day

Valeria Gurr is senior fellow for the American Federation for Children nonprofit organization, and she graduates this year with her PhD in Public Affairs. She is incredibly passionate about education, and we discuss why it is important for families to be able to choose schools that meet the unique needs of their children. Some major topics covered:-how Nevada's education system continues to fail children across the state-the importance of school choice particularly for kids from low-income and/or minority families-the way that political party lines prevent us form moving forward as a people-governmental/political corruption & bureaucracy 

Madisen Silva is a teacher at a public charter high school in Las Vegas, and she shares some of the challenges of teaching controversial topics such as sexual education & gender studies in the classroom.Some major topics covered:- teaching about STI's, gender pronouns, and sexuality- how much influence a teacher should have over a student in comparison to their parent-if there is a place for opinion/value-based learning in the classroom- the perks of having the flexibility to create your own curriculum as a teacher

Stacy Thaxton worked for the Las Vegas Metro Police Department for 20 years, with the majority of her career being mental health-focused. She helped educate officers on mental health disorders and how to appropriately recognize and respond to these types of calls. Some major topics covered:- how to respond to calls dealing with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, etc.- how the 2020 George Floyd killing affected law enforcement officers & their training- PTSD, depression, & anxiety in officers themselves after traumatic calls- women in law enforcement- consequences for officers if they respond inappropriately to a call

Tina Robinson lost her 15-year-old son, James, to suicide in 2011. James was a victim of bullying in school, and he committed suicide by firearm while his was family was home.Some major topics covered:- the guilt experienced by loved ones when someone close to them commits suicide- the lack of resources and attention regarding suicide and mental health in the Clark Count School District- sometimes there are warning signs, and sometimes there are not- how you continue on in life after experiencing such a tragedy- ptsd, depression, and anxiety after trauma

Ben Nevares has multiple degrees in Sports Nutrition & Exercise Science, and he also grew up in a town where 98% of the population was beneath the poverty line. Some major topics covered:- the pros & cons of the body positivity movement- body dysmorphia in men- how genetics play a role in obesity- the way poverty limits the ability to live a healthy lifestyle

Cynthia Catanzaro has known since she was little that she is psychic and she has been helping people communicate with their passed loved ones her whole life.Some major topics covered:- what it feels/looks like for her when she is communicating with loved ones that have crossed to the other side- why we are here on earth in human bodies- the similarities and differences between religion, spirituality, and atheism- the struggle between feeding the ego and feeding the soul

Camryn Levert has had an open relationship since she was 15 years old and recently participated in her first polyamorous relationship in the form of a throuple. Some major topics covered:- the difference between polyamory, swingers, and open relationships/marriages- how the concept of "jealousy" really did not exist in her relationship- why polyamory is not accepted by mainstream culture- the importance of open communication and boundaries in making poly relationships work

Mike Henderson returns to the show to give a more in-depth look at what he saw in his near-death experience and how it has impacted his life. Since my last episode with him, Mike has had his first child and lost his father.Some major topics covered:- how his own intimate experience with death has helped him in both of those experiences with new life and death- creatures from above showing him future events in his life- naming his son "love" after his experience- specific details about visiting the spirit world- being told religion is used for control

Jenny Farrell is a senior lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and she extensive experience both personally and professionally in the area of long-distance relationships. She has maintained a successful 20 year marriage that was long-distance for the early half of them being together, and she also studied this type of relationship in graduate school. Some major topics covered:- the fear of infidelity in LDRs (long-distance relationships) and the importance of defining what cheating actually looks like- how to meet sexual needs in LDRs- key things that do and do NOT work in LDRs- some ways that this type of relationship can be healthier than traditional ones

My guests this week are Tahomar Gil Contreras and his daughter Ana Sophia. TG lived back and forth between Venezuela and the United States, and Ana Sophia was born in Venezuela and only recently moved to the United States three years ago. They both experienced the political turmoil that has unfolded in Venezuela over the last 20 years.Some major topics covered:- the devastating impact of Hugo Chávez- specific examples of governmental and institutional corruption- discrimination towards immigrants- the immigration process as a whole - similarities and differences between Venezuela and the United States

Jasmine Garde had her baby over nine months ago, and she still struggles with many symptoms of postpartum depression to this day. Some major topics covered:- what PPD looks like- the guilt associated with having PPD - the societal pressures and expectations placed on mothers- the importance of de-stigmatizing mental health issues- the struggle for mothers to maintain an identity separate from motherhood

Kyle Collins has been through an abortion on two different occasions with two different women, both of which he did not want to happen. He details his journey through each of these along with his experiences with ectopic pregnancy and miscarriages. Some major topics covered:- the difficulty healing from an abortion on all ends- how race played a role in his abortions- death as a broader concept- his decision to maintain a pro-choice perspective despite his hardships with this topichttps://shop.analuisa.com/elephants go treat yourself and your loved ones and use my code ELEPHANTS to get 10% off. I absolutely recommend them. They are a great brand, making beautiful, sustainable jewelry, so go check out  https://shop.analuisa.com/elephants (code ELEPHANTS) #analuisany

My guest this week is Sophia Cavaleri, and she is transgender. In the midst of pride month, she shares what it has been like to conquer the mental battle surrounding her identity.Some major topics covered:- how she has known from an early age that she was different- the stigma around past identities/dead names- different gender affirmation surgeries and hormone therapy- some of the good and bad experiences she has had with others along her journeyhttps://shop.analuisa.com/elephants go treat yourself and your loved ones and use my code ELEPHANTS to get 10% off. I absolutely recommend them. They are a great brand, making beautiful, sustainable jewelry, so go check out  https://shop.analuisa.com/elephants (code ELEPHANTS) #analuisany

My guest this week is Russell Wright, and after a very traumatic relationship consisting of infidelity, he decided to commit to 26 months of celibacy. Some major topics covered:- how cheating is perceived in modern culture- how eliminating sex from our lives can help us grow and teach us discipline- the difference between men and women in relationships- how spirituality plays into discipline and celibacyhttps://shop.analuisa.com/elephants go treat yourself and your loved ones and use my code ELEPHANTS to get 10% off. I absolutely recommend them. They are a great brand, making beautiful, sustainable jewelry, so go check out  https://shop.analuisa.com/elephants (code ELEPHANTS) #analuisany

Jimmy Durbin struggled with addiction in the form of pills, pornography, and alcohol for 10 years. He has now been sober for 12 years and is a licensed clinical social worker and alcohol and drug counselor working with others to help reach sobriety.Some major topics covered:- a very intimate and vulnerable account of what it is like to reach the point of a suicide attempt- the societal pressure males face to remain emotionless and "strong" and a healthier alternative to this image- what goes through someone's head who is addicted to drugs when they are not high- how a combination of biological and environmental factors lead to addiction- how living a life full of love, compassion, and open-mindedness leads to personal fulfillment

Kenya Richey has just graduated with her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and begins her official position as a pediatric occupational therapist next month. This week, she shares with us some very important information regarding people who fall on the autism spectrum.Some major topics covered:- the most evident signs of autism- ways that both societal systems and individuals can be more accommodating and compassionate towards those with autism- how autistic persons struggle with certain daily "occupations"  because of cognitive, sensory, and physical difficulties and how OT's assist with this- how the education and healthcare systems lack in terms of care for autistic persons

My guest, James Visser, has been hunting since he could walk and maintains a youtube channel dedicated to ethical hunting and archery shooting in the United States that has over 4,000 subscribers and 1,000,000 views.Some major topics covered:- how hunting contributes to the overall well-being of species and their ecosystems - the difference between ethical and unethical hunting including the proper way to shoot an animal- the benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed meat- how hunters can still be huge animal lovers- the spiritual, primal connection between man, nature, and hunting

My guest this week, Faith Conover, lost both of her parents to cancer between the ages of 10 and 12.Some major topics covered:- her initial reluctance to therapy and how it ended up changing her life- her battle with depression that led to a suicide attempt- how her relationship with religion/god changed after this trauma- how members of her church were frightened by her story- the hardest days being random

My guest this week, Dre Smith, has substantial experience in black and youth mental health, both as a black male and as a healthcare worker. On this episode, we discuss just that: mental health in the black community.Some major topics covered:- the effects of the Covid pandemic on mental health- the impact of slavery as a form of generational trauma on the black community- the reluctance of black men to obtain physical/mental assistance because of stigmas and stereotypes- how higher elevation increases suicide rates- education as the key to breaking cycles of violence, poverty, drugs, and more

Amy-Marie Merrell is the executive director of a nonprofit organization in Las Vegas, Nevada called "The Cupcake Girls." This organization assists sex workers, victims of sex trafficking, etc. with needs ranging from getting back on their feet to simply maintaining a healthy, functional lifestyle. Some major topics covered:- mental health impact of working with troubled clients- the difference between consensual sex work and non-consensual sex work (trafficking)- what sex trafficking really looks like- the decriminalization of sex workFor more information regarding The Cupcake Girls, please visit https://thecupcakegirls.org/

This week, Shayna Markle opens up about what it is like running a successful OnlyFans account. Some major topics covered:- the mental health implications of staying consistent on the account- how much money she makes on a monthly basis- her experience with the Nelk Boys- her social circle's reaction to starting her account- strange requests from subscribersShayna's OnlyFans account can be found at https://onlyfans.com/shaysummers

My guest this week, Trenton Lomprey, was raised in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He shares an incredibly authentic and deeply vulnerable story of what it was like to grow up in this community while also being gay. Major topics covered include:- strange, unexplainable spiritual experiences not previously shared on social platforms-  conceptualizations of the difference between organized religion and individual       spirituality- Trent's experience with members of his church and community after coming out

On the last episode of the season, Dr. Daniel Bubb shares a very personal account of what it was like to lose his father to stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He addresses some of the reasons why the "Death with Dignity" bill should have been passed here in Nevada. It is a bill that would allow competent adults with a terminal illness to request a prescription that would allow them to end their life at the place and time of their choosing. Dr. Bubb also shares some backlash the bill faced from religious groups/organizations, and we compare human euthanasia to animal euthanasia.This episode is in loving memory of Ken Bubb.

Dr. Marta Meana, former president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is an accomplished scholar who has made numerous contributions to the fields of psychology, romantic relationships, and human sexuality. Her ground-breaking research even earned her a spot on The Oprah Winfrey Show. On this episode, we discuss the following topics: whether or not sex ed should be taught in school, debunking the misconception that women get attached easier than men, some fundamental differences and similarities between male and female sexuality, and what really turns women on in the bedroom.Additional resources for more information:"Sexual Dysfunction in Women" book by Marta Meana"Untrue: Why Nearly Everything We Believe Women, Lust, and Infidelity Is Wrong and How the New Science Can Set Us Free" book by Wednesday Martin"The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity" book by Esther Perel

This week's episode is a continuation of the theme from the last episode: explaining political parties. My guest, Angelo Robledo, has extensive experience within the Democratic party. This episode dives much deeper than just a political party. We get into political theory, the history of political parties, discuss the state of human nature as a whole, while also talking about some major democratic values (civil rights, abortion, etc.).

Politics have finally made their way to Let's Talk Elephants!Raymond Serrano has worked on numerous Republican campaigns and been heavily involved in the party as a whole over the last 4-5 years. On this episode, he dives into some of the more important values of the party, common stereotypes, what he believes is the major difference between Republicans and Democrats, and his perspective on Trump.An election year is upon us, and now is the perfect time to hear about some of the major values of each party clarified. Stay tuned for the next episode to hear from Democrats. 

How much do waitresses really make? Is Vegas as glitzy and glamorous as it seems? What is considered sexual harassment in this work environment? Priscilla Rivera has been in the Las Vegas club industry for 7 years. In the week's episode, she shares details about the club environment, clarifies any rumors you might have heard about cocktail waitresses or club employees, and dives into sexual harassment in the workplace.

Madison Zarley lost her sister, Kiya, to addiction earlier this year. She shares a very intimate recount of what it was like growing up with an older sister who was an addict, the common misconceptions people have about addiction, and what it was like coping with her death.

This week's guest, Carolyn Delcid, shares very personal details on what it is like to be a female college student participating in "hookup culture." She discusses the hypocrisies between sexually active males and females, the difference between being single, in a relationship, and in a "situationship," and generally what people are looking for in sex/relationships in college.

This week's guest, Mike Henderson, had a very intimate experience with death, where he coded a few times in the hospital. On this episode, he dives into some of the things his mind saw while he was in a medically induced coma. He further compares this experience to the things he saw while experimenting with drugs such as DMT, psilocybin (mushrooms), and an accidental experience with methamphetamine. 

A brief description of what the podcast will entail: driving factor behind "Let's Talk Elephants;" conversation topics; types of guests; schedule.