Episodes

  • #39. Wayde Louviere | Growing Up Gay in the 1960s South: The Power of Self-Trust

    #39. Wayde Louviere | Growing Up Gay in the 1960s South: The Power of Self-Trust
    Jan 10 2026

    Wayde Louviere is based in Los Angeles where he is a respected queer elder and longtime pillar of the West Hollywood community. He carries decades of lived experience, along with a deep interest in spirituality and healing. Wayde is also a close friend and neighbor of our creative producer, Western Kramer, and we’re honored to share his story.

    ***

    In this conversation, Wayde shares what it meant to grow up gay in Louisiana in the 1960s—before “representation” existed, before anyone said the word queer out loud, and before there was language for what he felt. There were no role models, no media, and no openly queer people in his community—only silence, and the real threat of violence if you were discovered.


    Wayde shares his wisdom on how to know yourself when who you are isn't reflected back to you accurately in the world. What does it mean to trust your inner truth when the world tells you you’re wrong—or that what you feel doesn’t even exist or that you should be ashamed of it?


    This episode is a powerful reminder of what innercalling is really about: the light inside you that no darkness can overcome. There is an inner compass and true north within you that guides you home, even when the world is unkind. Watch to learn how Wayde survived by trusting himself, trusting who he was despite what the world around him said, watch how he demonstrates the courage of listening inward, and choosing self-trust over shame.


    Thank you Wayde for joining us, and thank you to our listeners for your support!

    ***

    “I just knew. Listening to my intuition saved my life.” — Wayde


    “You don’t need the world to affirm who you are if you already know it inside yourself.” — Wayde

    ***

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 – Introduction

    07:45 – Growing Up Gay in the South

    14:30 – Suppression, Silence, and Survival

    22:10 – Discovering Community and Belonging

    36:00 – Trusting Intuition

    43:20 – Spirituality vs. Religion

    52:40 – The AIDS Epidemic and Loss

    01:07:00 – Energy, Healing, and Reiki

    01:20:30 – Labels, Identity, and Discernment

    01:29:00 – Advice for Younger Generations

    01:31:00 – Closing Reflections

    ***

    ✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://www.innercalling.org/

    ✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, a mental health practice founded by Dr. Victoria, where hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com

    ✨ Instagram: @‌drvictoriaranade

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • #38. Dr. Julie Carpenter (AI Hidden Dangers Explained: What You Need to Know)

    #38. Dr. Julie Carpenter (AI Hidden Dangers Explained: What You Need to Know)
    Jan 6 2026
    “AI does not understand you, care about you, or know what it means to be human.” – Dr. Julie Carpenter“What worries me is how easily we stop trusting ourselves.” – Dr. Victoria RanadeIs Artificial Intelligence really helping us or is it actually reshaping our minds, relationships, and humanity? Can a technology that feels supportive, validating, and “human” actually be undermining our self-trust, autonomy, and mental health? In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade and Dr. Julie Carpenter explore the psychological, emotional, and ethical impact of generative AI. Together, they unpack why AI feels so compelling, how it is intentionally designed to engage and retain us, and what happens to humans when we outsource our thinking, emotional processing, and decision-making to AI. This conversation looks under the hype and examines the development of AI through the lenses of mental health, attachment, surveillance, education, power, and what it means to remain human in an increasingly automated world. Dr. Carpenter explains why AI should not be used as therapy, why children are especially vulnerable to overreliance on these systems, and how confirmation bias, emotional manipulation, and surveillance are built into the technology itself.About Our Guest:Dr. Julie Carpenter is a social scientist and user experience researcher who studies how humans form trust, intimacy, and emotional relationships with AI systems. She is the author of The Naked Android: Synthetic Socialness and the Human Gaze and an external research fellow with the Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group. For over two decades, her work has examined how emerging technologies quietly reorganize culture, relationships, and everyday life. https://www.jgcarpenter.com/In this episode, we will explore:Why AI feels emotionally supportive and why that’s riskyHow AI exploits human attachment, trust, and vulnerabilityWhy AI should not be used for therapy, mental health, or parenting adviceThe illusion of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)How bias and misinformation are baked into AI systemsThe environmental and surveillance costs of generative AIWhat parents, educators, and clinicians should be thinking about right now in regards to AIHow overreliance on AI erodes self-trust and critical thinkingWhat AI can never replicate about being humanTimestamps0:00:00 Introduction: Why AI Feels So Compelling0:02:45 Meet Dr. Julie Carpenter0:05:12 What Is Generative AI—Really?0:08:40 Why AI Sounds So Human0:12:30 Emotional Attachment & AI Companionship0:17:45 AI as a “Funhouse Mirror”0:22:10 Why AI Is Not Neutral0:27:40 Surveillance, Data, and Power0:33:15 AI, Children, and Learning Concerns0:40:20 Why AI Should Never Be Used as Therapy0:47:55 Confirmation Bias and Emotional Manipulation0:55:30 The Myth of Artificial General Intelligence1:03:10 Environmental Costs of AI1:10:45 Reclaiming Human Judgment and Autonomy1:18:20 What AI Can Never Replace1:24:30 Cleaning Up Our Own “Backyard”1:30:10 Final Reflections on Humanity and HopeShow notes DAIR Institute Dr. Julie Carpenter's blog, where she explains the ideas behind AGI and who is chasing this philosophy, "Why AGI Won’t Save the World And Who Wants You To Think It Will"✨ Learn more + stay connected: https://innercalling.org/✨ Looking for kind, compassionate, evidence-based mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness, founded by Dr. Victoria based in the belief that hope can be found even in the most difficult seasons of life. https://www.hope-wellness.com✨ Instagram: @‌drvictoriaranadeDisclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • #37. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 9 - 12)

    #37. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 9 - 12)
    Dec 30 2025

    Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle and Western return for the third installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 9–12 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish, which dives into the heart of Kristen’s Top Chef journey and the personal transformations that followed this victory!


    Dr. Victoria and Western are self-proclaimed long-standing Top Chef nerds, so they love diving into the lore about Top Chef and all that this experience signified in public figure Kristen Kish turned out to be! Carlisle might be less versed in Top Chef versed, but has been a long-standing fan of food, so she is equally excited to discuss this topic.


    In this episode, we explore:

    • What Top Chef is really like behind the scenes
    • Representation and identity for Asian American and LGBTQ+ communities
    • Kristen Kish’s coming out journey and family support
    • Toxic workplace culture and knowing when to leave
    • How self-trust grows through adversity
    • Why presence was the key to winning
    • How following what feels like “home” can guide life decisions


    Timestamps

    0:00:00 Welcome to Book Club (Ch. 9–12)

    0:01:15 Snacks, Pickles, and Top Chef Behind-the-Scenes

    0:03:00 The Top Chef Audition & Emeril Lagasse

    0:05:40 Pressure, Presence, and Cooking with Focus

    0:09:00 Competing Against Your Best Friend

    0:12:30 Elimination & Last Chance Kitchen

    0:15:45 Winning Top Chef and Keeping It Secret

    0:18:30 Representation and Unexpected Community Support

    0:22:00 Queerness, Identity, and Coming Out

    0:26:30 Family Acceptance & First Relationships

    0:30:15 Life After Winning: Delayed Opportunities

    0:34:00 Toxic Work Environments & Bullying

    0:38:30 Walking Away from Status and Power

    0:42:00 Trusting Yourself Through Uncertainty

    0:45:30 Presence as the Key to Success

    0:48:30 Final Reflections & What’s Next in the Book


    Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

    Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

    Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

    Learn more at innercalling.org

    ‌

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins
  • #36. Isabelle Du (Celebrating AAPI Representation in Film & Staying True to Yourself)

    #36. Isabelle Du (Celebrating AAPI Representation in Film & Staying True to Yourself)
    Dec 20 2025

    “I think confidence comes from being your own best friend—really knowing yourself, enjoying who you are, and continuing to have that relationship with yourself.”

    — Isabelle Du


    “All the answers I had sought were answered by just continuing to live. When you continue to live, you’ll get the answers anyway.” — Isabelle Du


    Isabelle Du joins Dr. Victoria Ranade to talk about building a creative career in entertainment as an AAPI woman—and staying true to yourself under pressure. We dive into trusting your intuition, spirituality, and the strength it can offer in uncertain times. Isabelle also shares memorable stories about her bà nội (grandmother), and how those stories continue to shape her path.


    We talk about what it’s been like for Isabelle to follow her inner calling, why AAPI representation in film and media matters, and we close with an honest conversation about mental health and suicide prevention.


    Many thanks to Isabelle for her openness, her contributions, and the inspiration she offers to AAPI women pursuing careers in film, media, and the creative arts.


    ***


    Isabelle Du is a SAG-AFTRA actor, host, and international model working across television, film, and major commercial campaigns. A former Miss Vietnam USA, she has appeared in network and cable series, feature films, and global productions, and continues to advocate for greater Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in Hollywood. https://www.isabelledu.com/


    ***

    About Isabelle Du

    Isabelle Du is a SAG-AFTRA actor, host, and international model working across television, film, and major commercial campaigns. A former Miss Vietnam USA, she has appeared in network and cable series, feature films, and global productions, and continues to advocate for greater Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in Hollywood. https://www.isabelledu.com/


    ***

    Episode Highlights


    00:00 – Introduction

    10:52 – Living the Dream

    13:35 – Choosing Your Own Path

    16:54 – Reframing Setbacks

    20:12 – Navigating a Strict Upbringing

    23:20 – Developing Discernment

    36:50 – Seeking Guidance Beyond Yourself

    43:20 – A Life-Saving Moment

    52:51 – No Carbon Copies

    01:07:50 – The Kaizen Mindset

    01:20:40 – Persistence & Perspective

    01:28:32 – Believing in a Bigger Life

    01:29:15 – Closing Thoughts


    ***

    Web: www.drvictoriaranade.com

    Looking for mental health care? Check out Hope+Wellness at www.hope-wellness.com

    IG: @drvictoriaranade

    Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

    If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or write a review. We're an indie podcast so your support means a lot! :)

    Learn more at innercalling.org

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • #35. Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano (Why Jiu Jitsu Is So Powerful for Women - Confidence, Calm, Inner Strength, Healing from Trauma)

    #35. Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano (Why Jiu Jitsu Is So Powerful for Women - Confidence, Calm, Inner Strength, Healing from Trauma)
    Dec 13 2025

    Professor Dana Bridger and Luis Fabiano join me to talk about how Jiu Jitsu changed their lives—and mine. We explore fear, confidence, healing the nervous system from trauma, the power of community, its importance for women, and the surprising ways this sport teaches you confidence and to trust yourself again to step into your power.


    0:00:00 Introduction: Jiu-Jitsu's Power to Change Lives

    0:00:24 Host's Introduction: Background for the Episode

    0:02:47 Welcome to the show!

    0:04:15 Misconceptions of Jiu-Jitsu

    0:05:34 A Jiu-Jitsu Love Story

    0:08:33 Fabiano's Battle with Depression and Return

    0:11:54 Jiu-Jitsu Eliminates Trauma-Induced Anxiety

    0:14:46 The Core Philosophy: Be Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

    0:22:53 What is Control?

    0:27:18 Finding the "Warrior" Archetype

    0:33:02 A Lesson in Listening from a Student

    0:36:11 Women are Fighters, too!

    0:44:03 The Even Playing Field of the Kimono

    0:47:21 The Importance of "Mat Chats"

    0:52:10 Aggression as Human Nature and Safe Release

    0:53:59 BJJ's Impact on Children's Confidence

    1:03:38 The Black Belt Paradox

    1:10:47 The Price to be a Champion

    1:14:46 Hard Work vs. Natural Talent

    1:20:05 Clarity, Listening, and Calmness in Competition

    1:28:13 How to Achieve Calmness Under Pressure

    1:29:40 Life Hack: The 10-Second Stop-and-Breathe Rule

    1:33:06 The Hardest Belt is the White One

    1:33:40 Jiu Jitsu: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

    1:39:31 Fabiano's Greatest Challenge: Leaving Home

    1:41:00 The Emotional Toll of Distance


    Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

    Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

    Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

    Learn more at innercalling.org

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • #33. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 5 - 8)

    #33. innercalling Book Club: Accidentally on Purpose by Kristin Kish (Chapters 5 - 8)
    Dec 1 2025

    Hi innercallers! In this episode, Dr. Victoria and producers Carlisle, and Western return for the second installment of our Book Club series, diving into Chapters 5–8 of Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish.


    We explore Kristen’s turbulent "messy middle", that intense period of young adulthood where ambition often outpaces experience. We discuss her rapid rise to executive chef, the ego and intensity that fueled her early career, and the necessary "humbling" that occurred when it all came crashing down.


    This conversation is all about the power of support systems. We reflect on Kristen’s incredible parents, the life-changing magic of finding a "work bestie," and the unique dynamic of the "Heartbreak Hotel" :).


    Join us as we break down the journey from trying to "prove yourself" to finding your voice.


    • 00:00:00 - Intro: Book Club Round 2 (Chapters 5-8)
    • 00:01:00 - Recap: From Culinary School to Executive Chef
    • 00:03:30 - Obsessed with Status: The Drive for Upward Mobility
    • 00:04:45 - Kitchen Culture: "Screaming Chefs" & Intensity
    • 00:07:45 - Why Her First Executive Chef Job Failed
    • 00:09:15 - The "Humbling": Substance Use & Moving Home
    • 00:10:45 - Moving to Boston & Finding a "Work Bestie"
    • 00:13:00 - Mentorship at Stir: A Woman-Led Kitchen
    • 00:16:15 - Dating Scott & Learning What Love Is
    • 00:18:30 - The 2AM Phone Call: A Story of Parental Support
    • 00:21:00 - Living in the "Heartbreak Hotel"
    • 00:22:15 - Outro: Looking Ahead to the Top Chef Era


    Find Dr. Victoria Ranade here and here

    Connect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon

    Support our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.

    Learn more at innercalling.org

    ‌

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    23 mins
  • #32. Sandra Morse interviews Dr. Victoria (Finding Hope in the Absolute Darkness of Depression & Suicide)

    #32. Sandra Morse interviews Dr. Victoria (Finding Hope in the Absolute Darkness of Depression & Suicide)
    Nov 22 2025

    ”In my darkest hour, I heard a voice inside me that said, ‘It’s not your time yet. I’m with you. All you have to do is listen to me and follow me.” - Dr. Victoria Ranade


    "Do all things in love. This is my spiritual practice and what all of us are called to do." - Dr. Victoria Ranade


    Sandra interviews Dr. Victoria in this episode. She talks about what it was like growing up first-generation Asian American in a complicated household, navigating bipolar disorder, and how suffering has shaped the clinician and person she is today. They also explore the intersections of psychology and spirituality, the power of both connection and inner work in healing depression, and what it means to practice love in a world so often overwhelmed by fear.


    00:00 – Finding Light in Darkness

    01:25 – Why She Became a Psychotherapist

    03:36 – Working with Teenagers

    05:11 – The Power of Listening

    07:25 – A Voice That Saved Her Life

    10:11 – Wise Mind & Highest Self

    13:26 – Do All Things in Love

    15:44 – Seeing No Strangers

    16:53 – Fear and Faith

    20:19 – Life Responds to Love

    22:19 – The Practice of Stillness

    24:14 – Spiritual Inclusivity

    26:26 – A Universal Map to Healing

    27:21 – Living with Bipolar

    29:25 – Meeting Depression with Compassionate Presence

    29:56 – Bipolar as a Teacher

    30:15 – Surfing the Waves of Bipolar

    31:00 – Relationship with God as Liberation

    32:00 – Making Spirituality Your Own

    33:00 – Expanding Spiritual Inclusivity

    34:30 – Universal Map to Healing

    36:00 – Depression as a Constant Visitor

    37:00 – Compassionate Presence Defined

    38:00 – Pain as Teacher

    39:00 – Courage to Keep Surfing

    39:38 – Closing Reflections on Psychotherapy Today

    42:00 - Summary and Wrap-up


    Join us as we walk each other home:

    ✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

    ✨ Share this episode

    ✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

    ✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

    ✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

    ✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    45 mins
  • #31. Bennett Crawford, LCSW (Healing the Inner Critic with Lovingkindness and Self-Compassion)

    #31. Bennett Crawford, LCSW (Healing the Inner Critic with Lovingkindness and Self-Compassion)
    Nov 14 2025

    “When we rest into presence, we discover a larger field of loving awareness holding all our fears, anxieties, and pain — our ultimate resource for healing.” - Bennett Crawford, LCSW


    Therapist and mindfulness teacher Bennett Crawford, LCSW, discusses how loving-kindness and self-compassion can become medicine for self-hate and the inner critic. He discusses how the inner critic often tries to protect us, why meeting it with compassion can transform our relationship with ourselves, and how simple daily practices—like grounding, self-talk, and visualization—can rewire the brain toward healing. A conversation about patience, presence, and remembering the love that’s already within you. https://www.hope-wellness.com/bennett-crawford-lcsw


    00:00 Understanding Loving Kindness

    01:39 Introduction

    02:17 Definition of loving kindness

    04:00 Loving kindness and self-compassion

    06:38 When you hate yourself

    09:50 Origins of the inner critic

    13:13 Compassion as medicine

    16:41 Voice dialogue and IFS tools

    21:57 Navigating Self-Hate and Compassion

    27:54 The Inner Critic and Its Origins

    33:57 Practices for Self-Compassion

    40:48 The Nature of Self-Compassion

    45:40 Cultivating Love Through Visualization

    50:43 Understanding and Embracing Our Stories

    55:49 Reparenting and Healing Through Love

    01:00:42 The Journey of Being Human and Embracing Vulnerability

    01:05:47 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

    01:08:24 Experiencing Unconditional Love

    01:10:22 Qualities of Secure Attachment


    Join us as we walk each other home:

    ✨ Subscribe for more episodes of the InnerCalling Podcast, where psychology meets mental health and spirituality.

    ✨ Share this episode

    ✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice at www.hope-wellness.com

    ✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to join the mailing list and download free mental health resources.

    ✨ www.drvictoriaranade.com

    ✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade


    Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 13 mins