Well Balanced

Finances and money management often trigger stress, anxiety, and fear. So to close out Mental Health Awareness Month, Ofosu and Leah address the issue head-on, sharing how money affects their own mental health and discussing tips for how to approach money matters a bit more mindfully. And if, like us, you’re feeling overwhelmed by recent events, we want to remind you of a few past episodes that we hope may give you some space to reflect or find comfort: How to cope when news hits home How to get support when you need it

In continued celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, former plus-sized fashion model Gina Swire joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss the impact body image has on mental health. They dive into personal struggles they've all had with body image, and Gina shares tools you can use to learn to love the way you look. More about Gina: In addition to helping others learn to love their body, Gina Swire is also the author of P.S. I Love Me: 12 Steps for a Self-Love Transformation and the host of the podcast P.S. I Love Me. Follow her on Instagram @ginaswire

Ofosu used to beat himself up for having frequent intrusive thoughts, especially during meditation. He and Leah discuss tools they've learned to treat themselves with kindness when these types of thoughts arise — and how meditation can help.We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

In continued celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, psychologist Todd Kashdan joins Ofosu and Leah to discuss how the people we surround ourselves with affect our mental health — both positively and negatively. About Todd Kashdan A professor of psychology and the director of the Well-Being Laboratory at George Mason University, Todd is a leading expert on the psychology of well-being, curiosity, mental flexibility, and social relationships. And he's passionate about translating science into practical tips to help improve our everyday lives. Todd's latest book, The Art of Insubordination, is now available through all major retailers.

Leah really doesn't like it when people call her "nice." She and Ofosu unpack the hidden cost of being agreeable and discuss ways to support their mental health with more honesty and authenticity.And, as you may know, Leah and Ofosu are also the meditation coaches on Balance, a top-rated meditation and sleep app. In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Balance team is giving away two lifetime memberships to the award-winning app. Follow @balance on Instagram for more details, which will be posted on Tuesday, May 3.

Comedian Justin Silver joins Ofosu and Leah to talk about how telling jokes about his anxiety has helped him manage it and to share some insightful tools the rest of us can use to turn our own anxieties into sources of strength.You can further explore mental wellness with Ofosu and Leah on the Balance app, where they're the meditation coaches. Learn more at www.balanceapp.com, and all new members can enjoy a free first year.About Justin:Justin Silver is a New York City-based stand up comedian, author, and dog expert. He's the former host of CBS' Dogs in the City and founder of the non-profit Funny For Fido, where the country's top comedians perform to raise money for dog shelters. You can check out more of his work by following him on Instagram @iamjustinsilver or on his website iamjustinsilver.com 

Ofosu reflects on a moment (caught on tape!) where he was able to say goodbye to a protective persona he'd had for a long time. Then, he and Leah discuss the psychology behind these types of alter egos.We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey

New research suggests that taking fewer photos can lead to stronger memories. So Ofosu and Leah put it to the test, resisting the urge to take a photo during a moment when they normally would have. Then, they compare notes to see if it really made a difference.You can further explore mental wellness with Ofosu and Leah on the Balance app, where they're the meditation coaches. Learn more at www.balanceapp.com, and all new members can enjoy a free first year.

Ofosu and Leah chat with former United Nations emergency responder Nadine McNeil about how to stop burnout before it starts, even during high-stress situations.We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/surveyAbout Nadine:While working as an emergency responder for the United Nations, Nadine helped people recover from natural disasters like the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. She now uses those skills as a coach, yoga instructor, storyteller, and humanitarian. You can learn more about her work, and how you can get coached by her, at https://www.universalempress.com/   

Ofosu and Leah discuss challenges they've encountered in their own meditation journeys and share tips for how to overcome them.We want to know what you think of our show! Please share your thoughts at https://www.balanceapp.com/survey