
Trust & Thrive
Welcome to Trust & Thrive! My name is Tara Montazeri and I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Through insightful and vulnerable discussions, I hope to inspire my listeners to trust the process of their unique journey and thrive as their most authentic self. I aim to encourage these actions with a conscious, practical, and attainable approach to self-reflection and community care. I often feature individuals from a multitude of professional fields, levels of expertise, and life experiences who generously share their stories and invaluable knowledge to my listeners and me. My guests and I touch on topics related to mental health, relationships, systemic issues, generational wounds, and other topics that influence us in our everyday lives. I hope these conversations encourage us to approach our journey of self-awareness in a thoughtful, mindful and compassionate way. Instagram and TikTok: @trustandthrive; Website: www.tara-mont.com; Email: trustandthrive@gmail.com
Latest episodes

May 28, 2020 • 54min
79: Embracing Failure & Seeing It as Feedback - with Sandra Chuma, Founder of NDINI
Sandra Chuma is an inspirational speaker, podcast host, and award-winning documentary filmmaker, who believes that our greatest responsibility in this world is to share the stories that create possibility for others.She is the founder of NDINI, a platform to inspire, educate and entertain, and to encourage all women to believe in who they are and what they’re truly capable of. Sandra is also the founder of Woman on Fire Summit, which is a high-energy event - all about inspiration, transformation, connection, and entertainment.Before graduating from Columbia Journalism School with a Master’s Degree with Honors in Multimedia Journalism & Documentary Filmmaking, Sandra grew up in Zimbabwe. She was selected as the inaugural Documentary Fellow during her time there. Prior to attending Columbia University, Sandra partnered with her husband to create a global IT and management consulting company.For more than 15 years, Sandra’s mission has been to bring awareness to stories that celebrate our infinite potential. Inspirational and always approachable, Sandra brings a refreshing approach to connecting with her community. Through multimedia content, live events, mentorships, and merchandise, Sandra’s mission is to ignite every woman’s inner fire, so they can reach for the ‘more’ they were meant to have; and to inspire them to create better futures for themselves and their communities.In this episode, we discuss the value in seeing failure as feedback and embracing rejection, trusting your unique path, the realities of entrepreneurship, developing a morning routine that works for you, and more.FOLLOW SANDRA:WEBSITE: www.sandrachuma.comINSTA: @sandra.chuma NDINI: www.ndini.com / @ndinimediaWOMAN ON FIRE: www.womanonfiresummit.com / @womanonfiresummitSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

May 21, 2020 • 38min
78: Asking For What You Want & Getting What You Need - with Amy Fish, Author of I Wanted Fries With That
Amy Fish is the author of I Wanted Fries With That. In her book, Amy encourages standing up for yourself (and others) by complaining effectively. Her suggestions will appeal to anyone who wants to speak up and isn’t sure where to start, including managers navigating workplace disputes, couples who argue about the same things over and over, and even someone with a friend with bad breath. Illustrating her points with funny real-life stories, Amy reveals pragmatic methods to redress grievances with civility, honesty, and fairness for everyone involved — whether you’re trying to right the wrongs of the world or just claim the french fries you ordered.Amy is also Chief Complaints Officer, known as the Ombudsperson, at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She is responsible for promoting fairness and making sure everyone's voice is heard. Amy regularly teaches, speaks and writes about how to complain effectively (i.e., stand up for yourself and ask for what you need.) She also teaches writing workshops at the Quebec Writing Federation, Hippocamp Conference for Creative NonFiction and at her kitchen table. She specializes in humour writing and memoir.Amy's work has been published in Hippocampus Magazine, Readers' Digest, Huffington Post and several other journals.In this episode, we touch on successfully communicating one's needs, speaking up for yourself, effective conflict resolution, focusing on what you can control, the power of listening, and more.FOLLOW AMY:WEBSITE: www.amyfishwrites.comINSTA: @amyfishwritesFACEBOOK: @AmyFishWriterTWITTER: @amyfishwritesSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

May 14, 2020 • 49min
77: Astrology, Zodiac Signs, & Understanding Your Birth Chart - with Lisa Stardust, NYC-Based Astrologer
Lisa Stardust is a New York City-based astrologer who is known for her pop culture horoscopes. Lisa acts a guide for clients to help navigate them through finances, relationships, and other important facets of life.With an organic approach to creating personal magic, you will find her frequently using herbalism.In this fun, lighthearted episode, Lisa shares her knowledge on astrology, the different houses, understanding one's birth chart, and more.Feel free to give Lisa a follow to learn more.FOLLOW LISA:INSTA: @lisastardustastroTWITTER: @LisaStardust_WEBSITE: www.LisaStardust.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

May 7, 2020 • 52min
76: Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent - with Roxanna Safdia, Founder of The Black Sheep Survives
Roxanna Safdia is the founder of The Black Sheep Survives. She has been consulting victims and survivors of abuse since 2016. Roxanna has earned her Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and 9-year-old twins.In this episode, Roxanna opens up about her experience growing up with a narcissistic parent. She defines what narcissism is and signs that you may be dealing with a narcissistic. We also touch on gaslighting, generational trauma, the effects of emotional abuse, reparenting, reconnecting with one's inner child, self-love, and more.There is so much to unpack in this episode. Please feel free to reach out to Roxanna or myself to let us know what you were able to takeaway from our discussion.With Mother's Day coming up, that can be a triggering time for many people. We hope you know you're not alone.FOLLOW ROXANNA:INSTA: @theblacksheepsurvivesWEBSITE: www.theblacksheepsurvives.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 30, 2020 • 36min
75: Viewing Life as an Experiment
In this solo episode, I touch on the idea of living life as an experiment - seeing our failures as learning experiences and truly embracing one's journey - the good and the bad.We're so hard on ourselves, believing that we have to have life figured out. In reality, the whole point of life is making all the mistakes, learning from them, giving ourselves a safe space to reflect and grow, and then repeat.Don't let the fear of failure or judgment keep you from taking risks and from living your truth. Do you want to limit yourself or do you want thrive?STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 23, 2020 • 54min
74: Accountability in Relationships & Working Through Childhood Messages - with Thomas Gagliano, MSW, Author of The Problem Was Me
Thomas Gagliano holds a Master’s degree in social work, Bachelor’s degree in business, and a C-MAT certificate in drugs and alcohol. He is also the author of The Problem Was Me, with Dr. Abraham Twerski, and Don’t Put Your Crap in Your Kid’s Diaper: The Clean Up Cost Can Last a Lifetime.As a young man, Thomas became a successful entrepreneur with a proven track record in small business ventures in the greater New York area. About 20 years ago, Thomas started to spend less time in the business world and more time helping those who suffered, as he did, from negative childhood messages. “I believe that experience and expertise go hand in hand."Thomas is a regular on many Sirius XM radio networks, on the TBN television network, along with some others.His expertise is teaching a methodology which has helped many individuals, couples, and parents build healthier relationships with themselves and with each other. Today, Thomas is a key note speaker and facilitates groups for recovering addicts; he consults with couples, as well.In this episode, Thomas dives deep into the importance of self-awareness and taking accountability in relationships. We also touch on emotional intimacy, letting go of the victim mentality, reparenting and reflecting on our childhood messages, and more.FOLLOW THOMAS:INSTA: @theproblemwasmeWEBSITE: www.thomasgagliano.comBOOKS: The Problem Was Me ; Don't Put Your Crap in Your Kid's DiaperSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 16, 2020 • 53min
73: Emotional Wellness & Setting Emotional Boundaries - with Dr. Anna Kress, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Anna Kress is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over fifteen years of experience providing psychotherapy. She completed her training as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Princeton University and is in private practice in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Kress provides therapy for young adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma. She also writes a blog and presents workshops that focus on emotional health, spiritual wellness, and manifesting goals. Her work has been quoted and featured in a variety of media, including Cosmopolitan, SUCCESS, Girlboss, Teen Vogue, Yoga Journal, Shape, Parents, and Women’s Health. In this episode, Dr. Anna defines emotional wellness, the importance of embracing one's emotions, recognizing one's triggers, toxic positivity, the difference between observing vs. absorbing emotions, and setting emotional boundaries, especially during quarantine.FOLLOW DR. ANNA:INSTA: @drannakressWEBSITE: www.drannakress.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 9, 2020 • 57min
72: Reclaiming Your Body & Awakening Your Inner Power - with Julianne Vaccaro, Somatic Sexologist
Julianne Vaccaro is a Certified Somatic Sexologist and Women's Holistic Health & Life Mentor out of Denver, Colorado. Through gut & hormone supporting nutrition, natural supplementation, feminine embodiment, and trauma reprogramming, Julianne guides women to create their dream life in a body they love. Through Julianne's founded methodology, the Goddess Approach™, she walks with women through healing the deepest layers of their soul to come safely home in their body to reclaim a life of Purpose, Freedom & Pleasure.Julianne wants as many women as possible to feel safe in their bodies, to feel comfortable in their skin and in who they are, to be able to fully express in their most authentic way, and to feel erotically empowered.In this episode, we discuss trauma healing and understanding our core wounds, reflecting on our physical and emotional boundaries, getting over sexual shame, awakening our feminine and inner goddess, being curious about our bodies, and more.Overall, Julianne believes in working from the inside out and how building a positive relationship with our bodies intertwines with all aspects of our lives.FOLLOW JULIANNE:INSTA: @juliannevaccaroWEBSITE: www.juliannevaccaro.com/PODCAST: The Reclamation ProjectSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 2, 2020 • 1h 9min
71: Prioritizing Sleep & Understanding Sleep Cycles - with Patrick DeNicola, Sleep Efficiency Specialist
Patrick DeNicola is a Sleep Efficiency Specialist. In his own words:"A great man once asked me, 'Is it divine action to give to those who have not asked to receive?' My journey to holistic wellness living started under the guidance of my father, who through practices of nutrition, meditation, karate, tai chi and knowledge of ancient history and philosophy, helped me lay a foundation of self-realization. Though hidden underneath, this foundation grounded me once revealed and pushed me towards transformation. As I started this path, first came the physical changes using strength training and calisthenic movements combined with nutrition I was able to transform from slightly over weight and out of shape to peak physical condition. In training my body, my mind soon followed expanding curiously in search of more finding the greater truth of balance in life using transformative tools of yoga, meditation, and self inquiry to guide this balance towards even greater improvement of my quality of life. Now, I guide others into similar studies involving the self, helping them along the path of transformation and bringing this experience to any who like me inquires deeper into life."In this episode, we touch on the impact of sleep on our everyday performance, mental health, and overall wellbeing.Patrick also shares the negative effects of external stimulants, such as excessive caffeine, what happens when we use our phones in bed, and more on blue light. He also shares his knowledge on the different sleep cycles and stages, along with the amount of sleep we should all aim for. FOLLOW PATRICK:INSTA: @patzensleepWEBSITE: www.liveplena.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Mar 26, 2020 • 37min
70: Staying Strong Through the Uncertainty
We're all feeling afraid, confused, anxious, and lost on what's next. With that said, I hope you know you're not alone.In this episode, I share my current experience with social distancing, staying at home, and dealing with my anxious thoughts at this time. The unknown can be terrifying; as hard as it is, we should aim to embrace the situation for what it is and do our part.Please stay home and do your part. We are in this together.Sending you all love and light.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com