When Life Gives You Lemons

Samantha Brinkman
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Welcome to the When Life Gives You Lemons podcast hosted by Sam Brinkman! In this personal and professional development podcast, we'll talk about the "lemons" life has given me and how I turned them into "lemonade." From childhood and religious trauma to mental illness and abusive relationships to failure and burn out, we'll discuss the ways that these "lemons" can lead to our growth as an individual and a leader. Let's make lemonade!

  1. 10/17/2025

    When You Want to Break Free from Self-Destruction: One Man's Healing Journey through Psychedelics and Psychodrama Therapy

    In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Ahren Alexander, who opens up about his transformative journey of healing through the combined power of psychedelics and psychodrama therapy. From confronting buried emotions to reimagining his inner narrative, Ahren shares how these unconventional paths helped him reconnect with himself, heal old wounds, and find a renewed sense of purpose.  We explore the science and soul of both modalities, including how psychedelics can unlock suppressed memories and emotional insight, and how psychodrama provides a stage to process and re-integrate those experiences in a powerful, embodied way. Whether you’re curious about alternative healing or walking your own path through pain, this conversation is raw, real, and full of hope.  Let's make some damn lemonade.  Ahren's Top Reading Picks for Your Healing Journey: 1. When the Body Keeps Score by, Bessel van der Kolk 2. When the Body Says No by, Gabor Maté 3. The Tao of Fully Feeling by, Pete Walker 4. I Feel Love by, Rachel Nuwer  5. Ultra-processed People  by, Chris Van Tulleken For more info about the latest research and resources in psychedelics, visit MAPS  (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.)

    56 min

  2. 09/25/2025

    PART 3 - When You’re Considering a GLP-1: The Remarkable Benefits & Surprising Risks

    In this episode, we're continuing our 4-part series on the new groundbreaking medication that's taking the nation by storm: GLP-1s.  Special guest, Harley Dickey, joins us in Part 3 to discuss their lived experience of gender-affirming care through GLP-1s. In this episode, we break down what gender-affirming care really means—including how it applies to cisgender individuals—and explore the stigma surrounding body image and gender identity shaped by culture and upbringing. You’ll gain insight into approaching conversations about gender with curiosity and compassion, as well as the value of seeking credible information and engaging with others in a respectful, informed way. Whether you're considering a GLP-1, currently taking one, or know someone who is, this series is sure to be powerful and informative.  Let's make some damn lemonade.  Reference from episode: Oregon Network for Compassionate Communication: https://orncc.net/

    1h 4m

  3. 09/18/2025

    PART 2 - When You’re Considering a GLP-1: The Remarkable Benefits & Surprising Risks

    *TW: This episode discusses eating disorders and disordered eating patterns. If you have a history with eating disorders, please listen with caution.  In this episode, we're continuing our 4-part series on the new groundbreaking medication that's taking the nation by storm: GLP-1s. Special guest and Registered Dietitian, Gretchen Zimmermann, joins us in Part 2 to discuss the nutritional and clinical precautions that should be considered when taking a GLP-1, especially patients with a history of eating disorders. We also discuss the pervasive societal issues that play into GLP-1s, including the treatment of obese people in society, how GLP-1s may be perpetuating diet culture, and what we can do to strike a balance between true body positivity and health.   Whether you're considering a GLP-1, currently taking one, or know someone who is, this series is sure to be powerful and informative.  Let's make some damn lemonade.

    45 min

  4. 09/17/2025

    PART 1 - When You’re Considering a GLP-1: The Remarkable Benefits & Surprising Risks

    In this episode, we're launching our 4-part series on the new groundbreaking medication that's taking the nation by storm: GLP-1s. Tune in to hear GLP-1s discussed in a way that you haven't heard before - from eating disorders and gender affirming care to how we got to this place in our healthcare and food system. We'll also dive deep into the science of GLP-1s, including how they work, the remarkable benefits, and the surprising risks. Whether you're considering a GLP-1, currently taking one, or know someone who is, this series is sure to be powerful and informative.  Let's make some damn lemonade.

    29 min

  5. 07/31/2025

    When You Learn to Stay - or Walk Away

    What happens when love unfolds in front of millions — and falls apart just as publicly? In this deeply honest conversation, we’re joined by Jessica Cole, known for their time on the hit documentary series, Couples Therapy, now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime. Jessica opens up about the journey from heartbreak to healing beyond the spotlight. Together, we explore what it means to grow in love, to grieve what’s lost, and to rewrite your story in your own voice. This episode is for anyone learning how to stay soft after being hurt, how to set boundaries without building walls, and how to love again — starting with yourself. Let's make some damn lemonade!

    57 min

  6. 04/17/2025

    When You Decide to Be Happy

    What does it mean to be truly happy? Can we even achieve true happiness?  Self-development coach, author, and podcaster, Sandra Ann Miller, joins us to realistically answer these important questions. Her spunky, heart-felt approach ditches the toxic, "good vibes only" culture of our world today and allows space for the full spectrum of our emotions and experiences to be felt.  Join us to learn the two types of happiness that exist and which one we should be pursuing if we want real, lasting happiness.  Follow Sandra for more ways to become holistically happy and get unstuck! Instagram: @thehappyistofficial Website: https://thehappyist.me/ Substack: https://thehappyist.substack.com/

    1h 21m

  7. 12/12/2024

    When You're the Lesson

    When you're the lesson that changes them for someone else and not the one they decide to change for... What do you do? Let's talk about it.  Grieving isn't just grieving someone who's passed away. It's also grieving the loss of expectations and the life we thought we'd have. This episode is dedicated to holding space for grief and practicing acceptance in all aspects of our relationships.  Let's make some lemonade!

    35 min

  8. 10/21/2024

    When Rejection is Redirection

    What do you do when the person you thought you'd spend the rest of your life with doesn't choose you? What do you do when your dream job decides to let you go? Rejection can be a painful experience. We often wonder why we weren't enough for this person or situation. But with the right mindset, we can radically accept situations for what they are and use these experiences to create our greatest comeback story.  In this episode, I'll give you 3 simple mindset shifts that I made in order to use rejection as a redirection to a more authentic, fulfilling life. Let's make some damn lemonade.

    44 min
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About

Welcome to the When Life Gives You Lemons podcast hosted by Sam Brinkman! In this personal and professional development podcast, we'll talk about the "lemons" life has given me and how I turned them into "lemonade." From childhood and religious trauma to mental illness and abusive relationships to failure and burn out, we'll discuss the ways that these "lemons" can lead to our growth as an individual and a leader. Let's make lemonade!

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Brinkman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 When Life Gives You Lemons
  • Show Website
    When Life Gives You Lemons