Thursday Tea with Sami

Samia Estrada, PsyD, DipABLM
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 "Thursday Tea with Sami" offers insightful conversations on living well, blending practical tips and inspiring stories to help you nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Each episode dives into everyday habits that can lead to a healthier, more balanced life. 

  1. 3d ago

    Small Shifts, Big Love: Marriage Magic's Secret to Lasting Connection

    Send us Fan Mail Small Shifts, Big Love: Marriage Magic's Secret to Lasting Connection with Barry Dennis & Christi Closson Healthy relationships are one of the strongest predictors of happiness, resilience, and even longevity — yet so many couples find themselves loving each other while missing the spark, the playfulness, or the closeness they once had. In this episode, I sit down with Barry Dennis and Christi Closson, the husband-and-wife team behind Marriage Magic, to talk about what it really takes to keep a relationship alive and thriving. Barry is a longtime speaker, bestselling author, and relationship expert who has delivered over a thousand live talks on love, purpose, and transformation. Together, he and Christi teach couples their signature KISS framework — Kindness, Intimacy, Silliness, and Support — and share the wisdom behind Barry's books, including The Chotchky Challenge and his upcoming release, You May Kiss. In our conversation, we cover: How Barry and Christi's own love story unfolded — including the song Barry wrote before they ever got togetherWhy your capacity to love your partner is capped by how much you've learned to love and accept yourselfThe concept of "2% shifts" — small, consistent actions that create massive change over timeWhat the KISS framework really means, and why intimacy is about so much more than the bedroomBarry's concept of "the brown" — the dangerous, comfortable middle ground where couples feel like roommatesHow genetics, childhood wiring, and past relationships shape the conflicts we have todayWhy presence (putting the phone down) is one of the simplest, most powerful acts of loveNavigating major life stressors together — including a cross-country move and an unexpected health diagnosisHow silliness and lightness diffuse tension and keep connection alive, even during hard seasonsWhether you're navigating a rough patch, feeling more like roommates than partners, or simply want to deepen a relationship that's already strong, this episode is full of practical, heartfelt wisdom you can start using today. Connect with Barry & Christi: Email: barry@marriagemagic.net YouTube: Search "Marriage Magic" with Barry and Christi Support the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  2. Aug 14

    The Truth About "Natural" Beauty Products with Lynn Power

    Send us Fan Mail Clean Beauty, Real Health: What's Really in Your Products with Lynn Power This week I'm joined by Lynn Power, founder and CEO of Masami (a clean premium haircare brand), Isle de Nature, and Power Beauty Collab — a collective supporting over 65 indie beauty and wellness founders. After nearly 30 years in advertising working on major beauty brands, Lynn made the leap into building clean, high-performing products of her own, and her perspective on the industry is both eye-opening and empowering. We talk about what "clean beauty" actually means (and why there's no single agreed-upon definition), the surprising gap between EU and US ingredient regulations, and the three ingredients Lynn says almost everyone agrees to avoid. Lynn also opens up about her own cancer diagnosis and how it deepened her commitment to clean products, plus practical, non-overwhelming ways to start transitioning your routine without tossing everything you own. In this episode, we cover: What "clean beauty" really means, and why the US and EU define it so differentlyThe three ingredients to watch for first: sulfates, phthalates, and parabensWhy "natural" doesn't automatically mean safe, and why "chemical" doesn't automatically mean badHow to transition your beauty routine gradually instead of overhauling it all at onceThe connection between stress, skin health, and a growing field called psychodermatologyWhy product expiration dates matter more than most of us realizeHow small, indie beauty brands often out-research big companies when it comes to safety and testingThe power of community for entrepreneurs navigating an ever-changing industryWhether you're just starting to think about what's in your beauty cabinet or looking for practical next steps, this conversation offers a grounded, judgment-free way to think about the products we use every day — and how they connect to our overall wellbeing. Connect with Lynn Power: Masami: lovemasami.com | @lovemasamihairIsle de Nature: @isledenaturePower Beauty Collab: powerbeautycollab.com | @powerbeautycollabLinkedIn: Lynn PowerSupport the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  3. Aug 6

    The Science of Hope: How to Rebuild It During Hard Seasons

    Send us Fan Mail Building Hope When Life Feels Heavy, with Dr. Sarah Porter Hope isn't just something we have or don't have — it's something we can actively build. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Porter, a consulting psychologist, keynote speaker, and self-proclaimed "Hope Hustler," to explore what hope really is, why it matters more than ever, and how we can strengthen it even in our hardest seasons. Sarah is a Stanford alum with a PhD from UC Santa Barbara, and she's spent her career helping individuals and workplaces flourish through research-backed, deeply human strategies. She's been featured in outlets like Forbes and Real Simple, and her work bridges the gap between hope theory and everyday life. We talk about the difference between hope and toxic positivity, why hope is active rather than passive, and Sarah's simple framework for rebuilding it when you're running on empty. In this episode, we cover: Why hope is grounded and realistic — not the same as blind optimismSarah's "Minding the Gap" framework: Goals, Agency, and PathwaysWhy having multiple pathways toward a goal protects you from giving up at the first obstacleThe proven links between hope, reduced stress, and less chronic painHow values-guided action (from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) fuels hope and agencyThe role of awe — and simple, everyday ways to invite more of it into your lifeHow to tell the difference between healthy striving and unhealthy pushingBuilding your own "Hope Hype Squad" and why it can include people, pets, or even fictional charactersA simple, science-backed way to reignite hope when you're feeling depletedA preview of Sarah's upcoming book, The Musts of TrustWhether you're navigating burnout, chronic pain, or just a heavy season of life, this conversation offers a grounded, doable roadmap back to hope. Connect with Dr. Sarah Porter:  Website: drsarahporter.com  LinkedIn: Sarah Porter, PhD  Instagram: @drsarahporter Support the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  4. Jul 30

    From Rock Bottom to Resilience: Colin Potts on Faith, Loss, and Learning to Walk Again

    Send us Fan Mail From Rock Bottom to Resilience: Colin Potts on Faith, Loss, and Learning to Walk Again In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, I sit down with Colin Potts, COO at Regenerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, whose life has been shaped by extraordinary loss and an equally extraordinary will to keep living fully. By age 33, Colin had lost both parents, two siblings, and all of his grandparents. After 21 surgeries over 17 years, he ultimately lost his leg — and had to learn to walk, swim, and run all over again. What struck me most in this conversation wasn't just what Colin has survived, but how deliberately he's chosen to rebuild after each loss. We talk about the six years he spent caring for his mother during her illness, and the reframe they built together during that time: focus on what you have, not what you don't; focus on what you can do, not what you can't. We also talk about grief, the "void" that follows losing someone you've cared for, the vulnerability of sharing hard stories publicly, and the mantra that carried him through learning to walk again: just one more step. This is a conversation about resilience as something practiced daily — not a personality trait, but a series of small, deliberate choices. In this episode, we cover: → How Colin and his mother restructured her days around her strengths after her cancer diagnosis → The concept of the "void" that follows caregiving and loss, and how to begin rebuilding after it → Why vulnerability and honest storytelling build trust and connection → The emotional and physical process of learning to walk again after amputation → Colin's "negativity vortex" concept — and how to avoid getting pulled in → The power of finding one positive thing each day, even on the hardest days → Why believing in yourself is often the first and most essential step toward rebuilding → A strengths-based approach to facing any major life challenge Connect with Colin at ColinQPotts.com or on Instagram and Facebook @ColinQPotts — and be on the lookout for his new book, coming out this fall. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychological care. Support the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  5. Jul 30

    Why We're Afraid to Talk About Death (And How to Change That)

    Send us Fan Mail Grief, Loss, and the Power of Connection with Laura J. Cramer In this episode, I sit down with Laura J. Cramer, founder of Waiting Room Publishing, a Seattle-based indie publishing company creating thoughtful magazines for hospice care, funeral homes, and palliative care settings. Laura's path from professional ballet dancer to journalist to publisher was shaped by profound personal loss — in 2021, she lost both her father and her brother to suicide within the same year. Out of that grief, she created Candlelight Magazine, a publication designed to meet people wherever they are in their grief journey. We talk candidly about the language we use around death and suicide, the isolation that often follows loss, and why so many of us were never taught how to sit with grief — our own or someone else's. Laura also shares the story of the Wind Telephone, a moving art installation that's inspired similar tributes around the world, and we explore practical, compassionate ways to support someone who is grieving without adding to their emotional load. In this episode, we cover: How Laura's background in ballet and journalism shaped her approach to storytelling around griefThe origin story of Candlelight Magazine and Waiting Room PublishingWhy "died by suicide" matters more than "committed suicide" — and how language shapes stigmaThe cultural and religious differences in how we're taught to grieveWhy saying "no response needed" can be one of the kindest things you offer someone in griefThe Wind Telephone project and how it helps people speak to those they've lost — find a phone near you or read more at mywindphone.comHow to support someone without needing a "neat and tidy" ending or closureTreating your grief like a detective — observing without judgmentFree and low-cost resources for grief support, including hotlines and virtual grief groupsConnect with Laura J. Cramer & Waiting Room Publishing: Website: waitingroompublishing.comInstagram/Social: @waitingroompublishingRead Candlelight Magazine free online, or reach out via the contributor page if you'd like to submit a story ideaSupport the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  6. Jul 23

    The Connection Prescription: How Relationships Shape Your Health, Sleep, and Longevity

    Send us Fan Mail Loneliness has been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of its health impact — and yet we rarely think of our relationships as part of our health routine. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lauren Messina, couple and family therapist and co-owner of Evergrow Therapy and Wellness Collective, to explore why connection is one of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how it shapes everything from our physical health to our sense of purpose. Lauren shares her journey from family science research to working with military service members on "social fitness," and how that experience shaped her current work supporting new parents through the relational side of the transition to parenthood. In this conversation, we cover: Why the quality of your relationships at 50 can predict your long-term health better than your cholesterol levelsHow sleep deprivation impacts empathy and communication in relationships (and what to do about it)The biggest relational challenges new parents face — and why we were never meant to parent in isolationPractical communication shifts, including "making the covert overt" and the power of simply saying "I love you"Why 15 minutes of child-led play a day can transform your parent-child connectionThe difference between spirituality and religion, and how social connection fuels our spiritual coreHow connection intersects with the other pillars of lifestyle medicine — nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress managementSimple, realistic ways busy parents can build community and ask for supportGrab your tea and settle in for a conversation full of both heart and science. Connect with Dr. Lauren Messina: Website: evergrowtherapycollective.comPersonal site: laurenmessina.comInstagram: @evergrow_collectiveMilitary/HPRC resources: hprc-online.orgSupport the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  7. Jul 23

    From Exhausted to Empowered: Environmental Medicine & Nervous System Regulation

    Send us Fan Mail Hi everyone, and welcome back to Thursday Tea with Sami! ☕ This week I'm sitting down with Dr. Hilary Claire — clinical psychologist, holistic parenting mentor, and host of the Wild and Well podcast — for a conversation that goes way beyond burnout. We're talking about depletion, emotional regulation, environmental medicine, and why picky eating is so much more than a "difficult phase." Dr. Claire specializes in nutritional and environmental medicine, and her holistic lens on mental health completely reframes how we think about exhaustion, mothering, and even mealtime struggles. Whether you're a parent or just someone running on empty, this episode is full of practical, doable shifts. In this episode, we cover: → Why burnout has become so normalized — and why that's a problem → How to identify the beliefs about "busyness" and productivity that are secretly running your life → The real signs of depletion (physical, emotional, and cognitive) that are easy to miss → Why high achievers often struggle most to recognize their own burnout → How sleep, nutrition, and gut health directly shape our mood and anxiety → Environmental medicine 101: reducing toxins in your home, cleaning products, clothing, and lighting → The surprising link between screen time, blue light, and nervous system stress → The root causes behind picky eating — including nutrient deficiencies, airway/jaw development, and nervous system dysregulation → Simple "micro shifts" (gratitude, long exhales, movement, true breaks) to calm your nervous system in under two minutes Dr. Claire's honesty and holistic approach make this such a validating listen — you'll walk away with real tools, not just more things to feel guilty about. Connect with Dr. Hilary Claire: 🌐 Website: drhilaryclaire.com 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @drhilaryclaire 🎙️ Podcast: Wild and Well (available wherever you listen to podcasts) Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a replacement for medical or mental health care. Support the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

  8. Jul 2

    Nervous System Regulation 101: Healing Chronic Illness from the Inside Out

    Send us Fan Mail Chronic Illness & the Nervous System: Healing the Mind-Body Connection with Christina Kantzavelos What if chronic illness isn't just something happening to your body, but a signal that your whole system — mind, body, and nervous system — needs attention? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Christina Kantzavelos, a trauma-informed therapist and holistic practitioner who specializes in chronic illness, nervous system regulation, and mind-body healing. Christina's path into this work began far from where she expected — doing humanitarian and disaster response work internationally. After contracting Lyme disease, co-infections, and mold-related illness while working abroad, she went from a hyper-independent "Mother Teresa" type to needing help with basic daily care. That experience became the foundation for the integrative, somatic, trauma-informed approach she now offers her own clients. In this conversation, Samia and Christina explore: Why nervous system regulation is foundational to physical healing, and what happens in the body when we're stuck in chronic fight-or-flightThe deep, often-overlooked connection between unresolved trauma, chronic stress, and chronic illnessHow the post-traumatic growth that can come from chronic illness — and why most people who've been through it wouldn't change their journeyThe grief and identity loss that often accompanies a chronic illness diagnosis, and why "going back to who you were before" isn't always the goalWhat's missing from traditional, fragmented models of healthcare, and why treating symptoms isn't the same as treating root causesHow isolation shows up for people with chronic illness, and practical ways to rebuild genuine connection and communitySimple, accessible nervous system tools listeners can start using today — including breathwork, tapping (EFT), visualization, and somatic movementWhether you're navigating a chronic illness yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand the powerful link between nervous system health and physical wellbeing, this episode offers both validation and practical, gentle next steps. 🔗 Connect with Christina Kantzavelos at Begin Within Today (@beginwithintoday on social media) or beginwithintoday.com 💛 Learn more about Dr. Samia Estrada and Dignus Wellness at DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care. Support the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami  🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!   Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com  Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...

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About

 "Thursday Tea with Sami" offers insightful conversations on living well, blending practical tips and inspiring stories to help you nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Each episode dives into everyday habits that can lead to a healthier, more balanced life. 

Information

  • Creator
    Samia Estrada, PsyD, DipABLM
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Thursday Tea with Sami
  • Show Website
    Thursday Tea with Sami