In this episode, we’re joined by Angela, a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Associate Counselor, for a meaningful conversation about maternal mental health, relationships, and therapy through a multicultural lens.

Angela shares her journey into the mental health field, her passion for working with couples and families, and her current training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. We discuss the unique challenges parents of color face during pregnancy and postpartum, how cultural expectations and stigma impact mental health, and ways partners and families can offer better support.

The conversation also explores what helps couples feel “unstuck,” how relationships can stay strong through parenthood, and how Angela’s own experience as a mother shapes her work as a therapist. We wrap up with reflections on balance, self-care, and a fun personal note—including how Angela became fluent in Italian.

✨ Writing Through the Wilds of Motherhood with Jen Lendvai-Lintner ✨

In this episode, Theresa sits down with award-winning writer and mother of three, Jen Lendvai-Lintner, to talk about returning to writing after her youngest child was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian mosaic syndrome. Together, they explore caregiving, creativity, self-compassion, and finding meaning, humor, and honesty in the hardest seasons of motherhood.

This is a real conversation about balancing care for others while honoring your own voice.

🌿 Take a breath, protect your energy, and remember—you’re not doing this alone.

🎧 Listen now & join us beyond the couch.

🎙️ The Aurora Session: Veterans Day Special — “From Service to Healing”

This Veterans Day, we’re honored to feature Rose Fedechko, LAC, a U.S. Army Veteran, trauma-informed therapist, and passionate advocate for sensory-integrative care. 🌿

In this heartfelt conversation, Rose shares her journey from serving as a Captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom to becoming a Licensed Associate Counselor specializing in trauma, resilience, and neurodivergent care.

Together, we explore:

🇺🇸 How her military experience shaped her approach to mental health and healing

🧠 What therapists should know about working with veterans and military culture

💬 The power of CBT, DBT, and sensory-informed strategies in trauma recovery.

Rose’s insight reminds us that healing takes courage — and that empathy, understanding, and presence can make all the difference. 💛

Tune in for a powerful, grounded discussion honoring our veterans and the therapists who walk beside them.

🎧 Listen now on The Aurora Session: Beyond The Couch

The Aurora Session: Beyond The Couch is back — and we’re kicking things off with our first-ever Therapist Roundtable.

Join Theresa, Ariyon, Kim, and Fern for a real, unfiltered conversation on trending mental health topics, therapy myths, and yes… a few therapist pet peeves. 👀

#TheAuroraSession #BeyondTheCouch #TherapistsRoundtable #MentalHealthTalk #AuroraSunCounseling

More Than Physical: The Mental Health Side of Fibroids

In this episode, Ariyon Fountaine, MSW, LSW, a licensed therapist at AuroraSun Counseling, sits down with Theresa Santucci to share her personal fibroid journey — how it has affected her mental health and how women’s health issues can impact mental well-being. Together they explore the connection between physical and mental health, touching on painful menstrual cramps, endometriosis, and PCOS.

This conversation aims to spark awareness and dialogue around health issues affecting women, especially women of color. Ariyon and Theresa also discuss medical gaslighting and how therapists can help advocate for and support clients navigating these challenges.

In this week’s Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Danielle Delmonaco—nurse, personal trainer, wellness coach-in-training, nonprofit leader, and mom—to explore what it really means to live a balanced, healthy life.

Danielle shares her inspiring journey from the NICU to motherhood through adoption, her passion for empowering others as a wellness coach, and the role of movement, motivation, and mindset in creating sustainable health. She opens up about the challenges and joys of parenting, how she integrates wellness into family life, and why building community matters—on and off the water—with the Wicked Warriors of East Greenwich, the dragon boat team she leads to support mothers and children in need.

🎙️ You’ll hear:

💡 The difference between personal training & wellness coaching

💡 Strategies for staying motivated when life feels “too busy”

💡 How adoption has shaped Danielle’s perspective on health & balance

💡 The power of community, connection, and resilience

Whether you’re a parent, a wellness seeker, or someone curious about coaching, this conversation is full of encouragement and practical wisdom.

🌊 Tune in, breathe deep, and let’s take these insights beyond the couch.

“How do you keep going after rejection in the arts? 🎭 Seth Bisen-Hersh shares his secret to staying motivated and chasing your dreams.”

🎭 NEW EPISODE 🎶

This week I’m joined by the incredibly talented Seth Bisen-Hersh—award-winning composer, lyricist, and performer. From Off-Broadway hits like Love Quirks (now making its London debut!) to his latest film Malka (now eligible for an Oscar nomination ✨), Seth’s creative journey is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, Seth opens up about the realities of the industry—how he engages in self-care, and most importantly, how to stay motivated to keep pursuing your dreams no matter the challenges.

If you’ve ever dreamed of following your creative calling (or just love a behind-the-scenes peek into Broadway, film, and beyond), this conversation is for you!

This week on The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, I sit down with Todd Kinder—a leader whose journey spans over two decades in the pageant world. From judge to Executive Director, and now President of Miss New Jersey Volunteer, Todd shares how his passion for leadership, service, and inclusion has shaped not only the stage but the lives of countless contestants and volunteers.

We dive into:

👑 Todd’s path from pageant judge to organizational leader

🌈 His work leading Inspira Health’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group

🧠 Why mental health and empowerment are at the heart of his mission

💡 Lessons in leadership, community, and purpose

Todd’s story is one of vision, resilience, and using the crown as a platform for meaningful change.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the conversation and join us as we go beyond the spotlight—and into the heart of leadership.

#AuroraSessions #BeyondTheCouch #Podcast #Leadership #PageantLife #ToddKinder #MissNJVolunteer #MentalHealthMatters