The All Ears Podcast

Matt talks about growing up with a mother who struggled with Borderline Personality Disorder, working through his own issues when it came to depression and self-harm at a young age, and experiencing incredible love and support from a father who walked alongside him through some of the darkest moments in his early teen years. In addition we also talk about mental health, education, and the positive effects that can come from finding a partner who loves and supports you. I hope you enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sam talks about his strict upbringing, dealing with self-consciousness at a young age, and trying to understand why his father was never around that much while he was growing up. In addition we also talk about Sam's DUI experience and how that influenced him to clean up his act and get serious about his goals in life. Other topics that we discuss are work ethic, the power of kindness, and what it means to be the best version of yourself. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Talia discusses her experiences with being bullied in high school, feeling suicidal in college, almost becoming a police officer, and her journey to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition, we talk about raising children, the value of parents healing from childhood trauma, and important factors to consider when maintaining a healthy romantic relationship. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Johnathon talks about being raised by a single teen mother, growing up without his biological father, and working with clients who have experienced serious trauma throughout their lives. In addition, we also talk about our similarities/experiences when it comes to being raised by teen mothers, his passion for mental health, and striving to have a lasting impact on individuals who grow up in low-income communities. Ways you can contact Johnathon: Email: sanchez.johnathon@gmail.com Instagram: @notjohnathon --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Nicole is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and a Student Dietitian who has a passion for helping individuals become the best versions of themselves. Throughout this episode we talk about her journey with becoming a CPT, dealing with anxiety throughout her life, and her motivation behind helping others become both physically and mentally stronger. In addition, we also discuss relationships, body shaming, mental toughness, and the importance of implementing positivity within every aspect of our lives. Follow Nicole via Instagram: @niksalexis Disclaimer: This episode was filmed outside so keep in mind that you might hear the occasional dog bark, plane fly by, and annoying beetle harass us during the recording of this episode. I hope you enjoy :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Manuel talks about his early school years being in special education and joining a gang when he was 13 years old. In addition, we also discuss his experience with being physically, emotionally, and mentally abused by his mother who abused heroin. Other topics that we touch on is Manuel's experience with drug addiction, being bipolar, and having moments in his life where he considered committing suicide. His story is both heart-breaking and inspirational at the same time. He is a true example for anyone when it comes to not giving up on life and believing that there are better days ahead. I hope you enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sam and I discuss the awesomeness of growing up in the 80s, being raised by a hard-working mother who always had numerous jobs, and his experience with being physically abused as a child. In addition, we also talk about the first time we met, the day I asked him if I could date his daughter, his experience with divorce (and getting remarried), his role as a step-parent, the value of having "thick skin", and the benefit of having a higher power in life to guide you through difficult times. This is a special one. Happy Father's Day, Bro- Dad. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Viv discusses her life growing up and having a mother who was (and still is) her biggest inspiration in life. We discuss her mindset and experience with having to deal with the death of mother during her freshman year of high school due to a serious heart condition, Viv also talks about motherhood and her experience with becoming a mom herself at 18 years old. In addition, we talk about relationships, the value of healing from our emotional pain, working with clients as therapists, and the huge role that Viv played when it came to inspiring me to start the All Ears Podcast. You can also follow Viviana on Instagram at: @viviana.perea77 I hope you enjoy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ryan shares his story about being a "hard-headed" kid growing up in Pomona, being raised by his mother who was never afraid to show him tough love at times, and even explaining the value of his faith and how it allows him to strive for his goals and be a better man each day. In addition, we also discuss our years working together in operations, him witnessing the time when I almost flooded the school bathroom (long story), and we even break down Ryan's definition of what it means to be "authentic" in regards to interacting with people who are of a different race, gender, or even sexuality. I hope you enjoy :)

Robert is my older cousin (aka big brother in many ways) who has always had my back since day one. We discuss his life growing up being "the baby" of the group and even touch on his unique relationship that he has with both of his older brothers. In addition, we also discuss our relationship and how he played a huge role in helping me appreciate the value of becoming mentally and physically tough at a young age. We also discuss marriage, the joys and (sometimes) struggles of raising 4 kids, and what it means to be grateful about everything that we have in life while also trying our best to maintain a positive attitude every single day. I love this guy. I hope you enjoy :)

Jason was my professor throughout my two years in Hope International University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. We talk about his early college years and how he initially wanted to work in medicine with professional athletes. We also discuss his marriage and what it's like to be married to someone who is also a therapist. In addition, we discuss our experience when it came to talking about sex with an entire class, Jason's first time seeing a client (and how it didn't go so well), fatherhood, and the value of therapist taking the time to do their own therapy. Jason is the man. I hope you enjoy :)

Joseph and I have known each other since kindergarten. We discuss his high school years and what it was like to be apart of both the football and wresting team. We then discuss his initial dream to be a sheriff's deputy right after high school, but then dive into how life pointed him in a different direction when it came to him becoming an amateur MMA fighter who started his fighting career at 4-0. In addition, we talk about mental health from a fighters perspective, the importance of having healthy relationships with friends and family, and Joe's passion for joining the fight against human trafficking. I love this guy. Hope you enjoy :)

Kim shares her story about what it was like growing up in a blended family, being the tomboy all throughout her childhood, and describing her experience with her high school boyfriend and the verbal abuse that came with it. In addition, we talk about parenthood, her experience with getting married a second time, and how she continues to grow each day as a mother, wife and overall individual. Kim is awesome. I hope you enjoy! :) And Happy Mother's Day!

Ruben is one of my best friends that not too many people have ever heard of (and he knows it). Throughout this episode we talk about what it was like for Ruben having to experience self-esteem and weight issues all throughout his childhood. In addition, he also shares his story about how he lost 90 pounds in less than a year- and then he goes on to explain his experience with working in an emergency room and being a dedicated gamer on the live-streaming platform called Twitch. I love this guy and I hope you enjoy the episode! :)

Deondre tells his story about moving in with his grandparents at 5 years and how that influenced him to be the man that he is today. In addition we talk about our college days (and what it was like for him being a student athlete), getting married, and then eventually becoming a life coach for kids in the foster system. He's the man. Plain and simple. I hope you enjoy :)

Jeff does an amazing job at describing his "rocky" relationship that he had with his mother at an early age. In addition, he speaks on topics focusing on fatherhood, feeling shameful after his divorce, and having to start from ground zero when it came to dealing with his traumas and emotional issues while he was in his late 20's. His story is inspiring. There's so much to take away from this episode. I hope you enjoy :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This episode is about me telling the story of my recent "bad day" that I had this week. A day where I was short-tempered with others, anxious, and just not my "normal" self- and that's okay. There's a lot of vulnerability, authenticity, and overall message of encouragement that I hope you're able to receive. I hope you enjoy :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Destinie Serrano (literally) takes over this episode of the All Ears podcast. Not only is she an amazing individual and loved by many, but she is also my girlfriend of almost 9 years. We discuss her early years growing up in Kalispell, Montana, us meeting our sophomore year of high school, and share a little bit about how our relationship and how it's built on faith/growth/ and not feeling like a victim of your past. There are so many golden nuggets to take away from this episode- I encourage you to listen from beginning to end.  I hope you enjoy! :)  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Danny Nava is one of my best friends and fellow colleagues when it comes to working as a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Danny does an amazing job at talking about his experience with being in high school band, sharing why he decided to specialize in sex therapy, and we even discuss the story about how I thought he was a woman when I first started working with him. In addition, we also share valuable information regarding mental health services and discuss what is available for you- the listener- as we push through everything that's happening with Covid-19. i hope you enjoy :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Carole Garcia (my grandmother) does an amazing job at sharing her experience with what it was like growing up in Whittier, meeting my grandpa for the first time, and also sharing her thoughts on what it takes to hustle AND grow as a person over time. There is SO many "golden nuggets" to take away from this episode- I hope you enjoy :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My mother- Janice Verdugo- does an amazing job at sharing her story in regards to what it was like growing up in Whittier, California and becoming a teenage mom at 15 years old. In addition, she goes on to explain what it was like raising me, her early years as a CNA, going back to school at 40 years old, and even shares her experience of what it's like to work at Metropolitan State Hospital for the past 14 years. There are soooo many golden nuggets to take away from this episode- I hope you enjoy :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Isaiah Osorio is a former La Serna High School football star and one of my very good friends all throughout high school (and to this day). He talks about his journey in regards to what it was like to be "the man" in high school, his experience with receiving a near life threatening concussion in college, and even shares about what it was like to find a new passion/career and how his values instilled from his family played a major part in making him the man that he is today.  I hope you enjoy.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app