definitely HUMAN

Katie Pelletier

5.0 (4)
Society & Culture

A podcast about how common people have extraordinary lives.

03/03/2021

Episode 12: Vincent Squitieri-Butler

Our guest this week is Vincent Squitieri-Butler. A native of Long Island, New York, the 31 year old currently resides in North Carolina with his husband, Joshua. Vinny will be sharing growing up, being bullied through elementary and high school, his battle and victory over drug addiction and how he now wants to give back to others. Please note that this interview does discuss drugs, violence and suicide. The NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE number is 800-273-8255 Thank you for joining us for this episode on definitely HUMAN! Listeners, I hope you have been enjoying this podcast. From now on, all episodes will be on a bi-weekly schedule. Join us in two weeks to hear from one of my closest friends Melissa Kobialka. She dives into her work as a nurse, surviving postpartum depression, and a lot more! To find out more about this guest or podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram. Have a great week!
02/10/2021

Episode 11: Johnny Coursey (Part 3 of 3)

Hi and welcome to definitely HUMAN, this is your host Katie Pelletier. I would love to thank Haloh613 for leaving this incredibly kind review on Apple Podcasts: “One of the best podcasts: I have ever listened to, raw, funny, great questions, learned so much.” Thank you again for your generous words! This week we conclude our three part series with Johnny Coursey’s interview. Last episode we talked in depth about how mental health accounts for his father’s actions, his relationship with his mother, and the accessibility of mental health resources. This week we dive into the deeply controversial subjects of recreational drugs and the ideology of anarchy. Please note that this episode contains graphic descriptions of DRUG USE, and POLICE VIOLENCE. To learn more about this guest or podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram. Have a great week!
02/03/2021

Episode 10: Johnny Coursey (Part 2 of 3)

Hi and welcome to definitely HUMAN, this is your host Katie Pelletier. It’s our tenth episode! Woohoo!! An exciting milestone for this podcast, and thank you for joining us on the journey. This week we continue our three part series with Johnny Coursey’s interview. Last episode we talked in depth about Johnny’s childhood, family dynamics, and his father’s suicide. This week we go more into his thoughts on being a dad, how mental health accounts for his father’s actions, his relationship with his mother, and the accessibility of mental health resources. Please note that this episode contains graphic descriptions of SUICIDE, DRUG USE, CHILD ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, and POLICE VIOLENCE. The NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE: 800-273-8255 (Police service may be used in the event you are a threat to yourself or others) Join us next week for Part 3 of our three part series and thank you for listening! To learn more about this guest or podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram. Have a great week!
01/20/2021

Episode 9: Johnny Coursey (Part 1 of 3)

This week we start a three part series with Johnny Coursey’s interview. Johnny is a soon to be father of two, suicide survivor, and sometimes activist, happily and spitefully living a life that no one thought he could have. He works to engage in occasional activism so his home life is his only life, and so that can be the reality for everyone. By living his life authentically, his hope is to dispel rumors and misinformation about what anarchists are like, what they want for themselves and the world, and dismantle stigmas associated with mental health and drug use. Please note that this episode contains graphic descriptions of SUICIDE, DRUG USE, CHILD ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, and POLICE VIOLENCE. The NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE: 800-273-8255 (Police service may be used in the event you are a threat to yourself or others) Join us next week for Part 2 of our three part series and thank you for listening! To learn more about this guest or podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram. Have a great week!
01/13/2021

Episode 8: Stefanie Ditty

Our guest today is Stefanie Ditty. Stefanie is a 32 year old stay at home mom. She and her boyfriend, Greg, have been together for 11 years. The love of her life gave her the light of her life, their daughter, Nova, is 3.5. Over the past 15 years, Stefanie has become a professional patient dealing with endometriosis, adenomyosis, IBS, pelvic floor dysfunction, depression, anxiety, PTSD, along with undiagnosed bowel issues. In those 15 years she has seen first hand how the medical system is failing patients who suffer from chronic illnesses, specifically Endometriosis. Stefanie has had 7 surgeries, tried hundreds of medications, been in and out of the ER, been laughed at and scolded by doctors, and had to advocate for herself to get the care she needed and deserved. Her passion is to spread awareness for Endometriosis and make positive changes for the next generation so they don't have to suffer in the way Stefanie and so many others have. Thank you for listening to this episode of definitely HUMAN. To find out more about this guest or podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram. See you next time!
12/30/2020

Episode 7: Lisa and Alex

This episode is a mini-episode to make listening around the holidays easier but also because our surprise guests are KIDS! We often don’t get to hear children’s opinions on world events, but I have found often as a teacher and mother that they tend to have extremely wise and succinct opinions compared to most adults. To welcome the New Year, I asked two six year old children their opinions on the year 2020. Our first guest is my son Alex’s best friend, Lisa and our second guest is my eldest son, Alex. I had a ball interviewing these two and hope you will enjoy their sweet, compassionate and funny outlooks. Thank you for listening to “definitely HUMAN”. To learn more about this podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram. Listen next week for our next guest, Stefanie Ditty, who delves into being a “professional patient”, chronic pain, her diagnosis of endometriosis and even how she sees God as good even through intense suffering. See you next time and Happy New Years!
12/24/2020

Episode 6: Alyssa Orapallo

Alyssa Orapallo is a New York City based singer, actor, musician and educator. She has been on the Voice Faculty at CAP21/Molloy College since 2016. At CAP21 she maintains a private studio and teaches a year-long course on Vocal Technique in Musical Theater. Alyssa’s favorite aspect of teaching is the moment when a student discovers a sound they never thought they were capable of making-the moment a legit soprano belts for the first time, it’s as if a whole new genre of music becomes accessible to them. Some of Alyssa’s favorite credits include: Mazeppa in Gypsy, Maria in My Big Gay Italian Wedding and Marcy in Dogfight. She is a graduate of Temple University (Bachelor of Music Education/Classical Flute) and The CAP21 Professional Musical Theater Program. She is originally from South Philly, but grew up in Jersey (the part where they root for the Eagles). She is an avid Crime Show watcher, makeup addict, lover of coffee and red wine alike and trying her best to live her best Carrie Bradshaw dreams in the hell that is 2020. To find out more about this guest or podcast, please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram.
12/16/2020

Interview: Aidan Kircheim (PART 2)

Today’s episode will be the conclusion of Aidan Kircheim’s interview where he will talk more in depth concerning his transition and his volunteer work at PFLAG. Last week, we discussed Aidan’s brother, Michael and his struggle with addiction and eventual overdose; Aidan’s family dynamics, childhood trauma and coming out story. We left off with Aidan describing his passion for passing on a brighter future for the younger LGBTQ+ generations.
12/09/2020

Episode 4: Aidan Kircheim (PART 1)

**A NOTE FROM AIDAN: "Coming out is a journey, and everyone's is different. The start of mine was a bit bumpy, especially with family (which is common) - so please know that I love my family very much, and we have all come a long way over the years."** Aidan is the President of PFLAG Long Island, a nonprofit organization which supports both members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as their parents, families, and allies. He is a transgender man committed to living and sharing his truth, and has been speaking out about his journey of transition and personal life adventures for many years in efforts to spread knowledge and help educate the public about the transgender experience. He is passionate about the LGBTQ+ community, education, and creating a safe space for discussion about topics that normally are considered ‘too far’. He’s an open book that’s waiting to be read! Join us next week for the conclusion of Aidan's interview! To find out more about this guest or podcast please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram.
12/02/2020

Episode 3: Melissa Staricha (PART 2)

Today’s episode is the conclusion of Melissa Staricha’s interview. Last episode, Melissa discussed growing up fundamentalist Christian and some damaging characteristics of evangelical Christian culture. This week she dives into why conspiracy theories seem to be a popular belief in evangelical Christianity, and her personal experience surviving complex PTSD through EMDR. Thank you for joining me this week at definitely HUMAN. For more information about this podcast or guest please follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram.
11/25/2020

Episode 2: Melissa Staricha (PART 1)

In this episode of "definitely HUMAN", my good friend Melissa Staricha talks about growing up in a strict fundamentalist Christian church and household. She discusses her complicated relationship with faith, suffering traumatic religious abuse and Evangelical Christian culture. Next week, Melissa's interview will conclude with a more in depth description of her experience with PTSD and recovery. ___________________________ "definitely HUMAN" is a podcast about common people having extraordinary lives. For more information and pictures related to this episode, follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram.
11/18/2020

Episode 1: Matthew Maisano/Balena Canto

In this debut episode of "definitely HUMAN", meet your host, Katie Pelletier, and her guest, Matthew Maisano. Matthew has worked in the Philadelphia, PA area for over ten years as an opera singer and the last several as a drag queen. We talk about Matthew's coming out story, growing up Catholic, opera projects, the drag culture, some of Matthew's comical parodies, and the controversy that surrounded his participation in story time at local libraries. "definitely HUMAN" is a podcast about common people having extraordinary lives. For more information and pictures related to this episode, follow us @definitelyhumanpodcast on Instagram.

12 Episodes

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

Brave and authentic

01/20/2021

Pakcast

Katie is a great host has really interesting guests who aren’t afraid to share their stories. Not for the faint of heart but it’s really inspiring to hear people overcome adversity!
One if the best podcasts

12/10/2020

Haloh613

I have ever listened to, raw, funny, great questions, learned so much.

A podcast about how common people have extraordinary lives.

Creator

Katie Pelletier
Years Active

2020 - 2021
Episodes

12
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 617947
Show Website

definitely HUMAN