innercalling with Dr. Victoria

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 scenesRepresentation and identity for Asian American and LGBTQ+ communitiesKristen Kish’s coming out journey and family supportToxic workplace culture and knowing when to leaveHow self-trust grows through adversityWhy presence was the key to winningHow following what feels like “home” can guide life decisionsTimestamps0:00:00 Welcome to Book Club (Ch. 9–12)0:01:15 Snacks, Pickles, and Top Chef Behind-the-Scenes0:03:00 The Top Chef Audition & Emeril Lagasse0:05:40 Pressure, Presence, and Cooking with Focus0:09:00 Competing Against Your Best Friend0:12:30 Elimination & Last Chance Kitchen0:15:45 Winning Top Chef and Keeping It Secret0:18:30 Representation and Unexpected Community Support0:22:00 Queerness, Identity, and Coming Out0:26:30 Family Acceptance & First Relationships0:30:15 Life After Winning: Delayed Opportunities0:34:00 Toxic Work Environments & Bullying0:38:30 Walking Away from Status and Power0:42:00 Trusting Yourself Through Uncertainty0:45:30 Presence as the Key to Success0:48:30 Final Reflections & What’s Next in the BookFind Dr. Victoria Ranade here and hereConnect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, AmazonSupport our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.Learn more at innercalling.org‌

“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 DuActor and international model Isabelle Du joins Dr. Victoria for a behind-the-scenes conversation about building a creative career in entertainment as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) woman. With credits across television and film, Isabelle shares how spirituality, intuition, and self-trust quietly inform her decisions—and help her stay grounded in a demanding, high-visibility industry.Dr. Victoria and Isabelle explore how to recognize and listen to your inner voice, how discernment shows up in creative work and relationships, and the realities AAPI artists navigate around representation, expectations, and career longevity. The conversation also touches on mental health, grief, and the role spirituality can play in sustaining ambitious creative lives.“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***About Isabelle DuIsabelle 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 Highlights00:00 – Introduction10:52 – Living the Dream13:35 – Choosing Your Own Path16:54 – Reframing Setbacks20:12 – Navigating a Strict Upbringing23:20 – Developing Discernment36:50 – Seeking Guidance Beyond Yourself43:20 – A Life-Saving Moment52:51 – No Carbon Copies01:07:50 – The Kaizen Mindset01:20:40 – Persistence & Perspective01:28:32 – Believing in a Bigger Life01:29:15 – Closing Thoughts***Web: www.drvictoriaranade.comWeb: www.hope-wellness.comIG: @drvictoriaranadeConnect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, AmazonIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or write a review. We're an indie podcast so your support helps us keep creating episodes for you.Learn more at innercalling.org

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 Lives0:00:24  Host's Introduction: Background for the Episode0:02:47  Welcome to the show!0:04:15  Misconceptions of Jiu-Jitsu0:05:34  A Jiu-Jitsu Love Story0:08:33  Fabiano's Battle with Depression and Return0:11:54  Jiu-Jitsu Eliminates Trauma-Induced Anxiety0:14:46  The Core Philosophy: Be Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations0:22:53  What is Control?0:27:18  Finding the "Warrior" Archetype0:33:02  A Lesson in Listening from a Student0:36:11  Women are Fighters, too!0:44:03  The Even Playing Field of the Kimono0:47:21  The Importance of "Mat Chats"0:52:10  Aggression as Human Nature and Safe Release0:53:59  BJJ's Impact on Children's Confidence1:03:38  The Black Belt Paradox1:10:47  The Price to be a Champion1:14:46  Hard Work vs. Natural Talent1:20:05  Clarity, Listening, and Calmness in Competition1:28:13  How to Achieve Calmness Under Pressure1:29:40  Life Hack: The 10-Second Stop-and-Breathe Rule1:33:06  The Hardest Belt is the White One1:33:40  Jiu Jitsu: A Marathon, Not a Sprint1:39:31  Fabiano's Greatest Challenge: Leaving Home1:41:00  The Emotional Toll of DistanceFind Dr. Victoria Ranade here and hereConnect with our show on Spotify, YouTube, AmazonSupport our podcast by sharing it with a friend, subscribing, or writing a review.Learn more at innercalling.org 

”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 RanadeSandra 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 Darkness01:25 – Why She Became a Psychotherapist03:36 – Working with Teenagers05:11 – The Power of Listening07:25 – A Voice That Saved Her Life10:11 – Wise Mind & Highest Self13:26 – Do All Things in Love15:44 – Seeing No Strangers16:53 – Fear and Faith20:19 – Life Responds to Love22:19 – The Practice of Stillness24:14 – Spiritual Inclusivity26:26 – A Universal Map to Healing27:21 – Living with Bipolar29:25 – Meeting Depression with Compassionate Presence29:56 – Bipolar as a Teacher30:15 – Surfing the Waves of Bipolar31:00 – Relationship with God as Liberation32:00 – Making Spirituality Your Own33:00 – Expanding Spiritual Inclusivity34:30 – Universal Map to Healing36:00 – Depression as a Constant Visitor37:00 – Compassionate Presence Defined38:00 – Pain as Teacher39:00 – Courage to Keep Surfing39:38 – Closing Reflections on Psychotherapy Today42:00 - Summary and Wrap-upJoin 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

“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, LCSWTherapist 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-lcsw00:00 Understanding Loving Kindness01:39 Introduction02:17 Definition of loving kindness04:00 Loving kindness and self-compassion06:38 When you hate yourself09:50 Origins of the inner critic13:13 Compassion as medicine16:41 Voice dialogue and IFS tools21:57 Navigating Self-Hate and Compassion27:54 The Inner Critic and Its Origins33:57 Practices for Self-Compassion40:48 The Nature of Self-Compassion45:40 Cultivating Love Through Visualization50:43 Understanding and Embracing Our Stories55:49 Reparenting and Healing Through Love01:00:42 The Journey of Being Human and Embracing Vulnerability01:05:47 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery01:08:24 Experiencing Unconditional Love01:10:22 Qualities of Secure AttachmentJoin 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

“Women entrepreneurs, have the difficult conversation. Speak up. Be the loudest person in the room… Get in there. Just do it.”“When I’m following my inner calling, I find myself in amazing places that I didn’t expect.”In this episode, Dr. Victoria Ranade sits down with entrepreneur and leader Leslie Stirm to explore what it truly means to listen to your intuition and trust your inner wisdom. From a painful childhood to building one of the most successful music stores in the country, Leslie shares how self-trust became her inner compass—guiding her through trauma, healing, and the complexities of leadership.Together, they reflect on the courage it takes to hear your own truth, the quiet power of intuition in business, and how following signs and wonders can unfold into unexpected adventures. This conversation is a reminder that when you learn to listen within, life itself begins to guide you to greater success, joy, and wholeness.**Leslie Stirm is a person who has followed her own guidance her whole life. With unreliable parents, she decided to trust her own wisdom and observations. She studied science and math in college and currently operates one of the most successful music stores in the country. Leslie sees her work with music as the perfect platform to help people accept and express themselves. She listens to the signs and wonders of the world. Leslie relies on her inner guidance to get her where she is today. Find Leslie here: https://www.imc-az.comJoin us as we walk each other home:✨ Subscribe for more episodes of 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

“There was this quiet voice inside me saying, Don’t give up. I used to ignore it. Now I know—that voice saved my life.”— Chris Kovacs, LCSW“Addiction took everything from me. But recovery gave me something I never had before—myself.”— Chris Kovacs, LCSWIn this powerful and deeply personal conversation, therapist Chris Kovacs joins Dr. Victoria Ranade to share how addiction nearly took his life—and how listening to his inner voice helped him find the courage to heal.Chris opens up about the early influences that shaped his path, the pain and loss caused by addiction, and the pivotal moments that led him toward recovery. He reflects on how his lived experiences inform his inner calling as a therapist and offers heartfelt guidance for those currently struggling in the darkness of addiction, as well as insights for family members seeking to support loved ones on their healing journey. He also discussed the gift of desperation and the critical importance of social relationships and community in recovery, and the tension between enabling vs. support. Join us for this inspiring story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of the inner voice that can lead us not only to survive, but to return to wholeness.**Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC is an award winning licensed clinical social worker specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Hes drawn to this work through his professional experiences, as well as the personal adversities he has personally faced. Just like he was able to receive, he believes that everyone deserves the help they need to begin to self-actualize. https://www.hope-wellness.com/chris-kovacs-lcswChapters00:00 Introduction to Chris's Journey03:10 The Early Years of Addiction06:04 The Dark Side of Substance Use08:43 Relationships and Their Impact11:07 The Turning Point: Desperation and Honesty14:00 The Role of Tough Love16:56 Finding Acceptance and Forgiveness19:48 The Path to Becoming a Therapist24:35 Finding Your True Calling25:57 The Struggle of Overcoming Addiction28:33 The Role of Community in Recovery28:40 The Journey of Becoming a Therapist39:23 Support vs. Enabling in Addiction Recovery42:52 Navigating the Pain of Addiction43:33 A Message by Hope and Wellness47:01 Setting Boundaries with Loved Ones48:34 The Importance of Relatability in Recovery50:09 Exploring the Role of AA and NA52:41 Finding Quality Treatment for Addiction55:41 The Necessity of a Full Continuum of Care56:33 Understanding Stigma and Sharing Stories58:10 The Journey of Rebuilding Relationships59:07 Spirituality and Higher Power in Recovery01:02:52 Encouragement for Those Struggling01:06:16 Advice for Therapists Working with Teens01:08:18 Confrontational Approaches in Therapy01:11:34 The Future of Psychedelics in Treatment01:13:45 Listening to Your Inner Calling and Conclusion01:16:42 The Gift of Desperation and Pain as a Teacher01:19:27 The Power of Community in Healing01:20:52 Support vs. Enabling: Setting Boundaries✨ Subscribe for more heartfelt, old-fashioned conversations about mental health, spirituality, authentic leadership, self-trust, and how people make their way through this difficult yet beautiful thing called life.✨ Share this episode with someone who might find it helpful.✨ Learn more about Dr. Victoria Ranade’s psychotherapy and wellness practice: www.hope-wellness.com✨ Visit www.innercalling.org to get emails connecting you with others who believe in the power of the human spirit ✨ IG: www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Pastor Carl Park of Great Commission Community Church joins Dr. Victoria Ranade for a heartfelt conversation about the countercultural love of Jesus — a love rooted in humility, faith, and radical acceptance. Together they explore what it means to live with compassion, courage, and inner freedom in today’s world. Thank you for being here!Chapters00:00 Finding Light in Darkness03:00 The Counter-Cultural Love of Jesus06:08 The Power of Being Seen08:54 Understanding God's Nature12:01 The Journey of Faith15:10 Hearing God's Voice17:45 The Call to Ministry21:00 The Role of Community24:01 Authenticity and Humility27:04 Spirituality and Mental Health30:00 The Intersection of Science and Faith32:54 Living Authentically36:08 The Importance of Community39:06 Finding a Church42:12 The Healing Power of Scripture44:56 The Role of Love and Acceptance47:56 The Tree of Life51:07 Exploring Spirituality54:07 The Burden of Anxiety and Depression56:54 The Invitation to Rest01:00:08 Closing Thoughts01:03:45 Summary and ReflectionJoin us as we walk each other home:✨ Subscribe for more episodes of 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