Rachael's Universe

Is it weird to not have a boyfriend in college? Do you have to get engaged by graduation? Which dating app is the best? Relationships are complicated. It can be beautiful, confusing, magical, awkward, horrible...all at the same time. There are few things more awkward than a weird first date. Join me and my special guest, Kate, as she shares some of her best first date stories. We talk about qualities we look for in people, our types, red flags, and so much more. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse & @rachaelsuniversepod Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

ADHD often goes underdiagnosed in girls, because the disorder presents differently, the symptoms are often more subtle, and they don’t fit the stereotype. Because of this, many girls often live without getting support and help that could aid them in their daily activities. Natalie and I were both diagnosed with ADHD during our early college years. In this episode, we talk about our experience growing up with ADHD, coping, comorbidities, misdiagnosing, and how getting the right support can change everything. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse & @rachaelsuniversepod Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

At the beginning of this semester, I discovered SoHoCats, a luxury feline hotel. Call me a crazy cat lady, but now I visit SoHoCats at least once a week. SoHoCats is a luxury feline hotel run by two awesome women, Alissa and Sharon. With a combined 35+ years of experience, Alissa and Sharon run a safe, fun, and unique boarding space for our feline friends. Join me as I talk with Alissa and Sharon about their history with cats, how they started their business, and the ins and outs of running a successful luxury feline hotel. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse & @rachaelsuniversepod Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Mental health. It’s a touchy subject to talk about, especially when we look at how it is perceived compared to physical illnesses, such as the flu. They both affect lives and require treatment and rest, but only one is always seen as legitimate. In this episode, I have a conversation with a friend about all things mental health. We dive into what we struggle with, how people helped or didn’t help us, and the perceptions towards certain illnesses and medication. With mental illnesses that can often be hidden within our minds, it is easy to believe that we are alone. However, through conversations and vulnerability, we find that we aren’t. There is support, there is help, and there are many stories that may resonate with our own. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Welcome back to PillowTalk Ep. 2!! Today we bring you some more thoughts about friendships and growth, false vulnerability, and we go deep into our enneagrams. We discuss how to best support friends, and are joined by a special guest, Fae. Enjoy! Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @rachaelsuniversepod & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Today's episode is different. Join Rachal and I as we talk to my friend, Santos, who is currently incarcerated for murder. Santos is a dear friend, and we thought this podcast was a great opportunity to share his experience, and show people how it may differ from their idea of prison. Tune in to hear about what landed Santos a life sentence in prison, preparing for parole, his opinion on drugs, and the biggest lesson he has learned in his 16 years locked up. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @rachaelsuniversepod & @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Hey guys, welcome to another PillowTalk episode! As always, recorded from the lovely bed of Gabriella, today we talk where we are at in college or post grad, how we spend our free time, and the effect of technology on our lives. Also, I get a special and unexpected call... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

A couple of shoutouts, Rachal's love? life, setting more goals for quitting drugs #NoNicotineClub, and not judging people. Also, I give an update on the future of this podcast. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @rachaelsuniversepod & @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

NO NICOTINE CLUB BABY. Introducing a new character that Rachal may have potential with, updates on my friendships, and a new segment that has been really enjoyable to discuss...drugs. We talk about our experiences, our mistakes, and our fears with substance use and abuse. Weed is the gateway drug people. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @rachaelsuniversepod & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

A small disclaimer, a 4 p.m. coffee run, Rachal being a simp, and a quick drug update. Hey guys, this episode is a bit out of order because it technically comes after the next three scheduled Bad and Bothered episodes, but some things just had to be said. OH, and I visited a cat hotel. How fun. SoHo Cats Luxury Feline Hotel. It's amazing. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @rachaelsuniversepod & @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

New series alert! I'm excited for this one. You already know her from the episode "Tapas & Toxic Friends"...it's Rachal! This series will cover the misadventures of Rachal and I, from drunk mistakes, to our aspirations for 2021. We'll cover it all. We're bad, and we're trying to channel that, but we're also so bothered...by so many things. Today we grab our coffee and talk about Rachal meeting up with DM boys, getting hit on by girls, and the progress we've made since 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

This is the first episode of the series, Pillowtalk, where Natalie, Gabriella, and I talk candidly about navigating life. In this episode we touch on how our friendships have evolved over our time in college, what our hopes for the future are, and the importance of not losing ourselves in friendships. Enjoy! Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Sketchy employees pocketing money, forgetting ski gear, and perfect skiing conditions (just kidding). Also, I accidentally expose my podcast to my friends. RIP me. But at least you guys will get to hear from them. A lot more than what I was expecting for my first time at Sugarloaf. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

We have guests on this episode!! Emma, Kat, Rach and I go into Boston to try tapas for the first time, have a rooftop photoshoot, and figure out what to do about those oh so toxic friendships. Instagram @rachaeluniverse & @summituppodcast Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Love you all! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

There was a 2% chance of getting a permit to hike this last year. How did I do it? Everything you need to know about hiking to the infamous "Wave" of Utah without a normal map. Yes I got lost. 6 miles lost to be exact. Support my blog and this podcast by "buying" me a "coffee" at https://ko-fi.com/rachaelsuniverse Instagram: @summituppodcast & @rachaeluniverse --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Bad hiking puns and getting stung by a bee. And as always, hiking out of your comfort zone. Instagram: @rachaeluniverse & @summituppodcast Blog: rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

FUN EPISODE! This is where dreams blur with reality. What is real and what isn't? Is Hipcamp reliable?Why is a Russian man showing me the inside of a potato shaped sauna filled with gems in the middle of the desert? I have so many questions. Instagram: @rachaeluniverse I spend so much time editing this episode and I'm very proud of it. Lot's of sound effects and audio from the night... This is a re-upload be Spotify took this down for some reason? Music: The Music of Red Dead Redemption by Bill Elm & Woody Jackson Artist: Hiraeth by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/al-hiraeth Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/iZdPxAXsd5k Lover by David Mumford Sofia by Clairo Daisy by Ashnikko --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Iceland, Cross Country, Canada...Just going for it, independence, so much research. An overview of how I travel on a budget. Instagram @rachaeluniverse Intro/Outro Song: Track: A Breath of Fresh Air — Artificial.Music [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/YvKGhtg_chYFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/breath-fresh-air --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

The easiest hike you can take your grandparents on, Bighorn Sheep, and making John Muir proud. Instagram @rachaeluniverse Song by David Mumford, and PBS The National Parks Theme Song --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

Everything you need to know about hiking the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail: What to expect, what to wear, and of course, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Instagram: @rachaeluniverse Read about hiking Mount Katahdin on my blog rachaelsuniverse.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

My experience on an SSRI, why I wish I tried it sooner, and realizing that taking medicine doesn't make me weak. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

A 10-year-old's favorite part of Christmas, and how this year will be different. Zoom Christmas anyone? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

FUN EPISODE! This is where dreams blur with reality. What is real and what isn't? Is Hipcamp reliable?Why is a Russian man showing me the inside of a potato shaped sauna filled with gems in the middle of the desert? I have so many questions. Instagram: @rachaeluniverse I spend so much time editing this episode and I'm very proud of it. Lot's of sound effects and audio from the night... Music: The Music of Red Dead Redemption by Bill Elm & Woody Jackson Artist: Hiraeth by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/al-hiraeth Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/iZdPxAXsd5k Lover by David Mumford Sofia by Clairo Daisy by Ashnikko --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

A review of hiking Alta Peak at Sequoia NP, and why you shouldn't let hiking reviews stop you from getting out of your comfort zone. Sorry for the wack audio a little while in. Working on getting a new mic! Support for more hike reviews :) Thanks everyone. Instagram: @rachaeluniverse Music: Lover by David Mumford, Rocky Theme Song, Track: The Day I Met You — Arvnd [Audio Library Release] (Music provided by Audio Library Plus, Watch: https://youtu.be/0tq32HUIOu4, Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/day-i-met-you), Bryan Chi Music --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support

First episode of my "Summit Up!" series, where I talk about mainly hikes, but also anything else in the great outdoors. This is an excerpt from "One More Step: Through Hiking a Section of the Appalachian Trail" and a reflection on Patagonia's "Nose to the Wind". --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachael-shek/support