Solace and the City Zoe Scurletis

This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Thai Richards, the founder and creative director of Rage and Release! Rage & Release is a health and wellness community that empowers individuals to overcome adversity through a holistic approach. Rage and Release provides diverse experiences for the mind, body, and spirit, promoting unity and self-discovery. Their mission is to break negative stigmas surrounding cannabis through education, while also offering a space for personal growth without it. Through fitness and wellness, Rage and Release transforms life's challenges into opportunities, fostering healing and unity among all.
Thai is the innovative mind behind Rage and Release. His performance as a canna-athlete, his professional modeling experience, and his social entrepreneurship are all driving transformation in the wellness sector. He is a trailblazer, working to dismantle the stereotypes associated with cannabis use and athletes. He is a strong advocate for the use of cannabis as a natural alternative for pain management, recovery, and overall wellness.
Thai's experiences led him to create Rage and Release, a platform that combines fitness, cannabis, and mental health. The platform aims to educate people about the benefits of cannabis in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle and to break down the stigma associated with its use.
Through his work, he is not only changing perceptions about cannabis but also promoting a holistic approach to wellness. He believes that cannabis, when used responsibly, can be a powerful tool in managing pain, reducing stress, and improving overall health. His innovative approach to wellness is paving the way for a new era of health and fitness.
You can learn more about Thai by following his personal Instagram, @_daddyshango_. To learn more about Rage and Release, follow @rageandrelease on Instagram or go to https://www.rageandrelease.com/.


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I am so excited to be sharing my conversation with Andrew Collin! Andrew is a comedian, actor, and writer who I have listened to as a guest on one of my favorite podcasts for almost five years. In this episode, Andrew talks about his life before and after being introduced to the world of comedy. Andrew seriously has nine lives He's lived in LA, Miami, New York City, and St. Louis and has had a multitude of careers, from dog walking to fish mongering. Andrew became sober after noticing that the people whom he most looked up to in life refrained from drinking alcohol. Now, five years later, Andrew has slowly begun to incorporate alcohol back into his life and shares the good and bad parts of moderation. I hope you all enjoy!
To follow Andrew and his comedy, you can check him out on Instagram @andrewtcollin and listen to his podcast Puddles wherever you get your podcasts.

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This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Ari Borinsky, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy! (That's a lot of words, so let's break it down). Ari graduated from Columbia and became passionate about alternative medicines after attending his first ayahuasca retreat in Peru. When he started his own private practice, he knew that he wanted to incorporate some of the techniques he had learned from his mentors into his work. Now Ari incorporates ketamine into his psychotherapy sessions with clients, helping them to connect with their subconscious in a safe environment.

I literally knew nothing about KAP (ketamine-assisted psychotherapy) prior to chatting with Ari. I am so grateful for his kindness and wisdom, and I can't wait to see how the future of psychedelics unfolds! If you are interested in working with Ari, check out Brooklyn Psychedelic Psychotherapy in Greenpoint! https://www.brooklynpsychedelicpsychotherapy.com/


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The most-listened-to guest of Solace and the City is back and better than ever! I am SO excited to be sharing my second podcast conversation with Hope Woodard with you all. In this episode, Hope and I have a sobriety catch-up. When we first recorded back in January, I had been only 10 or so days sober, and Hope had been well over the year mark. Fast forward to this conversation, and I just hit my 300-day mark! Over these 300 days, Hope has been re-evaluating her relationship with alcohol and other substances. We talk about the real struggles that come with maintaining a soberish lifestyle and the importance of meeting yourself where you are. Hope shares her plans to be boy sober for the next year and explains her theory about jumping in and out of the wagon when it comes to her own journey cutting off substances. I really think you all will enjoy this episode, as Hope is truly amazing. Be sure to share it with your friends, follow @justhopinalong, and check out her new podcast Phone A Friend!


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I am so excited to be sharing my conversation with Felix Levine this week! Felix and I connected back in August, and he graciously agreed to be a guest on Solace and the City. On his podcast Where's This Going, Felix interviews the most iconic and influential people, including former hitmen, world champion athletes, billionaire CEOs, and even the Mayor of the Big Apple. In this episode, Felix talks about his journey to podcasting and the work ethic that he's tapped into over the past four years to build its success. He also opens up about his struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and tells the story of how podcasting brought him his new relationship. Felix is also the creator of a new app called Lynx, which is revolutionizing the way we meet in real life. (Think Hinge but for making new friends). You can join the waitlist by visiting https://lynxtonight.app/. You can also follow Felix's journey on Instagram @felix.levine.


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CW: This podcast contains content related to disordered eating and sexual assault. If at any point this episode becomes too triggering, please be sure to pause it and take some time to yourself. Furthermore, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or is struggling after an incident of sexual assault, help is available. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

I feel incredibly honored to share this episode with NYC-based comic, writer, and actress, Hanna Dickinson. I first heard Hanna speak on one of my favorite female-led podcasts and was completely moved by her story. Most people go through one or two major traumas throughout their entire life. Hanna experienced multiple in the matter of months. In this episode, Hanna talks about what led her to become sober from alcohol and amphetamines. She talks openly about being abducted and raped on her 29th birthday in Los Angelos, as well as contracting an STI in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanna's story is first and foremost a testimony of her resilience. Despite the many traumatic experiences that she has faced in her young adult life, Hanna keeps on fighting and finding the silver lining to push forward. She finds humor in even her darkest days and uses comedy as a therapeutic outlet to share her struggles. One of my favorite quotes from a guest of this podcast is, "laughter is the greatest disinfectant." Hanna embodies this quote more than anyone I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I truly hope everyone takes a listen to her tale. You can keep up with Hanna by following her @hansdickie on Instagram.


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