This week I sat down with my friend, Suliy Melendez, and what started as catching up turned into a conversation about identity, community, friendship, and what happens when life enters a completely new season. We talked about becoming an empty nester before 40, learning how to be spontaneous again, why community doesn't magically happen (it's something we create), and how some of the most meaningful forms of self-care are actually the smallest acts of service that we gift to ourselves and others. One thing Suliy shared is that if you want community, start by finding something you genuinely enjoy. Go to the class. Join the open mat. Join the book club. Introduce yourself. Invite someone for coffee. It sounds simple, but those little moments are often where real relationships begin. We also talked about something I think we don't say enough: there is nothing wrong with finding joy in caring for other people- as long as we don't lose ourselves in the process. Sometimes taking care of yourself looks like making your bed, drinking your coffee slowly, taking a walk, or simply showing up for yourself before you show up for everyone else. Mostly, this episode is a reminder that we're always allowed to reinvent ourselves. Whether you're entering a new chapter, looking for deeper friendships, or trying to figure out who you are outside of the roles you've always played, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not doing it alone. I'd love to hear what resonated with you most after you watch. Thanks for being here friends! Find us at: www.FullLivingWellness.com

What if the goal of couples therapy isn’t to “fix” your partner? In this episode of Friends Living Well, Nikita sits down with marriage and family therapist Erin Valente to explore the deeper work of relationships: understanding ourselves, learning our partner’s language, and creating a connection that is intentional rather than simply following the stories we’ve inherited about what love “should” look like. Together, they talk about: - Why couples therapy is not about deciding who is right or wrong - Moving from blame and fixing into curiosity and understanding - How relationships become opportunities to better understand ourselves - The importance of play, flirtation, touch, and small moments of connection - Why successful relationships require flexibility, growth, and renegotiation over time - Letting go of unrealistic expectations and creating a relationship that fits the two people in it - How trauma, nervous system regulation, and humor impact connection - What couples should look for when choosing a couples therapist Relationships are constantly changing because we are constantly changing. The person you started a relationship with is not the same person you will be years later- and that doesn’t have to be a problem. It can be an invitation to reconnect, rediscover, and grow together. A huge thank you to Erin for sharing her wisdom and perspective with us. You can find Erin at: www.healingthehumanexperience.com For services at Full Living Wellness visit: FullLivingWellness.com

In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Bentler of Pocono Maple Water and Pocono Maple Farms for a conversation about wellness, community, and living with purpose. Nicole shares her story, what led her to farming maple trees and sourcing maple water, and her passion for water quality and education. We also discuss the wellness practices that support her own mental health, the importance of staying connected to community, and what it looks like to build a life and business that reflect your values. Nicole has been such a caring and supportive presence for us at Friends Living Well and Full Living Wellness, and it was a pleasure to learn more about the person behind the work. Throughout our conversation, we found so much alignment between the values of Pocono Maple and our own belief that wellness is about more than individual health- it's about connection, learning, community, and creating meaningful experiences. We also talk about the many ways families and visitors can experience Pocono Maple Farms, including educational opportunities, tasting tours, glamping experiences, and event spaces that bring people together in nature. If you're interested in wellness, entrepreneurship, community building, sustainability, or simply hearing the story of someone following their passion, we hope you'll tune in. Find us at: www.FullLivingWellness.com Pocono Maple Water: www.poconomaplewater.com Pocono Mountain Farm: www.poconomtnmaple.com

This might be our longest episode yet- and we had so much fun recording it. In this episode, Kelsey and Nikita dive into the relationship dynamics we've been shown through movies, television, pop culture, and how those messages may have shaped what many of us thought love was supposed to look like. We take a closer look at classics like The Notebook, Fifty Shades of Grey, and Wuthering Heights, exploring the unrealistic, unhealthy, and sometimes problematic relationship dynamics they portray. We talk about the difference between intense emotions and actual emotional safety, and why many people have been taught to mistake one for the other. We also revisit one of Nikita's favorite childhood movies, Drop Dead Fred, through an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens. What starts as a nostalgic movie discussion turns into a surprisingly meaningful conversation about parts work, coping, healing, and how some of Nikita's therapeutic approaches may have been hiding in plain sight since childhood. And because we couldn't resist, we spend a good chunk of time breaking down the couples from Love Is Blind Season 10 (Ohio). From communication patterns to red flags, green flags, and everything in between, Kelsey and Nikita share their thoughts, reactions, and plenty of laughs along the way. One of the themes woven throughout this episode is that many people don't grow up with consistent examples of healthy relationships. For some of us, movies, books, and television became our reference points. As adults, we're often left sorting through those messages and redefining what healthy love, connection, and partnership actually look and feel like. This is our first episode incorporating TikToks and video clips into the discussion, and we were very much learning as we went! You may notice a little lag and a few video cuts during the first half of the episode while we figured out all of the fun new technology. Thank you for your patience as we continue to grow, experiment, and get better at this whole podcasting thing. As always, this podcast is not therapy and is not a replacement for therapy. Friends Living Well is simply two friends having conversations, sharing perspectives, laughing together, and offering commentary on the movies, shows, and relationship dynamics that capture our attention. Grab a drink, get comfortable, and join us for a fun, thoughtful, and sometimes surprising conversation about love, relationships, and the stories we've been told about both. We end the episode by sharing a few of our favorite resources for anyone wanting to continue exploring these topics. We recommend Esther Perel's Where Should We Begin? and The Sex That Changed My Life hosted by Laura Roscioli- two podcasts that offer fascinating, honest, and deeply human conversations about relationships, intimacy, connection, and personal growth. You can find us at: FullLivingWellness.com

More Human Than Mysterious. In this episode of Friends Living Well, we sit down with therapist Dani Catejon of Full Living Wellness for a conversation about the deeply human side of therapy, healing, and growth. Together, we explore what brought Dani into the field, what keeps her passionate about the work after 8 years as a therapist, and what we’ve both learned through our combined years of sitting with people in some of the most vulnerable, painful, transformative moments of their lives. Throughout this episode, we talk about post-traumatic growth, resilience, and the incredible capacity human beings have to adapt, heal, and continue becoming. We reflect on our experiences working with survivors of domestic violence, immigrant populations navigating immense uncertainty and transition, and older adults who continuously remind us that it is truly never too late to heal, grow, reconnect with yourself, or become whatever it is you need to be. This conversation is honest, grounding, emotional, and full of the kinds of reflections that remind us why human connection matters so much. Whether you’re someone currently in therapy, considering beginning your own healing journey, or simply interested in understanding people more deeply, we hope this episode leaves you feeling seen, hopeful, and connected to the reality that growth remains possible at every stage of life. Disclaimer: This podcast episode is intended for educational and conversational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, mental health treatment, medical advice, or crisis services. While we discuss therapeutic concepts, personal growth, trauma, and healing experiences, this conversation does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Please seek support from a licensed professional or emergency services if you are in need of individualized care or immediate support. You can find Dani at: FullLivingWellness.com

This week, Kelsey and Nikita sit down to talk all things clinical supervision- what it is, why it matters, and why the quality of supervision can have such a lasting impact on developing clinicians. As conversations continue to grow around training standards, board exam pass rates, and the preparedness of upcoming professionals, we wanted to have an honest discussion about the role supervision plays in shaping confidence, competence, ethical care, and professional identity. Kelsey shares her perspective from the ABA/BCBA world, including recent shifts within the field and changes surrounding supervision practices and skill-building expectations. We also explore different approaches to supervision, including the relational approach that both of us deeply value in our work, mentorship, and personal lives. We talk about: ✨ What supervision actually looks like in practice ✨ The supervisor-supervisee relationship ✨ Growth, support, accountability, and empowerment ✨ Why supervision should be more than “checking boxes” ✨ Helping clinicians build confidence instead of fear ✨ Kelsey’s evolving supervision model and philosophy ✨ The importance of feeling safe enough to learn, ask questions, and grow Supervision is something we are both incredibly passionate about, and honestly, one of the biggest reasons we each gravitated toward the work we do today. Whether you’re a therapist, BCBA, student, supervisee, future clinician, or someone curious about what happens behind the scenes of helping professions- we hope this conversation offers validation, insight, and encouragement. 🤍 Visit us at: ⁠Fulllivingwellness.com⁠ #clinicalsupervision #bcba #aba #therapist #mentalhealth #behavioranalysis #supervision #therapistlife #FriendsLivingWell #privatepractice #relationalhealing #clinicalsupport

In this episode, Founding Mothers, Ashleigh and Nikita take you behind the scenes of what it really looks like to be both therapists and business partners. We share our journey from individual clinicians to co-founders of Full Living Wellness, and why we- chose partnership over building solo practices. We get honest about the challenges that come with that decision- navigating tension, making big decisions together, and learning how to show up for each other not just as professionals, but as people. Along the way, we break down the relationship skills that have been essential to making our partnership work: staying grounded in shared values, practicing mutual respect, giving each other the benefit of the doubt, and communicating openly using “I” statements and emotionally focused (EFT-informed) approaches. We also talk about repair- what it actually looks like to move through conflict and come out stronger on the other side. This conversation connects directly to the work we care deeply about, including the Human Connection Support Group at Full Living Wellness, where these same principles are explored in a supportive, real-world way. We also touch on something many clients don’t fully understand: what it means to be an out-of-network practice. We break down how superbilling and reimbursement work, and how we strive to make therapy more accessible through options like sliding scale and collaborative financial planning. Our goal is always to center autonomy- supporting clients in choosing how, where, and with whom they receive care. Disclaimer: This episode is a casual conversation intended for informational and reflective purposes only. It is not mental health advice and is not a substitute for therapy or professional services.

Super duper fly... because a Missy Elliott tee is never just a tee... it's a statement of our core values.

Romantic love gets centered as “everything”… but what if it’s not the only thing? There’s a kind of fulfillment, depth, and safety that exists in female friendships that romantic relationships don’t always reach—and that doesn’t make it less meaningful. It makes it different. And just as essential. Pour into the relationships that truly pour into you. 🤍 #friendshiplove #emotionalintimacy #womensupportingwomen #relationalhealing #connectionmatters