Why Are You So Emotional? Exploring Anxiety and Depression Through the Hearts and Minds of Women
Women of the Podcast
I had the privilege of speaking to four incredible women who so kindly shared their time and experiences with me so that I could create this podcast. A photo and small bio of each woman I interviewed is shown below, along with my photo and bio as well.
Kirsten Calabrese
Kirsten is 20 years old and grew up in Kenilworth, IL and seldom spent time away from her closest friends and family members. She has been interested in music and writing from a young age, and still pursues those passions today. Her anxiety has caused several bumps in the road, but has not deterred her from doing the things she loves. She currently studies Psychology at Loyola University Chicago and hopes to pursue an internship in the next year.
Photo courtesy Jessy Garcia
Jessica Beltran Garcia
Jessica is a 42-year-old daughter of God and a wife and a mother of two. She was born and raised in Chicago to hard-working immigrant parents. The dichotomy of growing up in a home where there was great love and great pain created layers of confusion that left her hungry for security, stability and unconditional love. After years of building her personal version of the "American Dream," living in "pursuit of personal happiness" through academic and professional success and still finding there was something missing, she was completely devastated by the tragic passing of her beloved sister. With over 20 years of varied nursing experience, she trusted science; yet suffering from an autoimmune disorder, major depression and PTSD, she struggled to reconcile how modern medicine could not help her. In the darkest valley, she wrestled before God and he demonstrated His great Love for her. Her experience points to the love, hope, peace and joy that is not found in seeking things or achievements but in a relationship with the One who is able to heal all wounds. She enjoys teaching kids where their true identity comes from and advocating for the oppressed.
Jeanne Marie
Jeanne Marie is a 53-year-old married mom of two who has lived in Chicago for 42 years. She works as a researcher with a particular interest in communities of practice and organizational design, and she helps people solve organizational problems. She is passionate about urban education and community-based problem solving and has been a volunteer and consultant for a number of not-for-profit organizations. Jeanne is a serial old house rehabilitator and also keeps a perennial goal to fill up her passport with visa stamps before it expires.
Photo courtesy Dr. Phyllis Dawson
Dr. Phyllis Dawson
Dr. Dawson is a licensed clinical psychologist who has had over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. She is especially experienced in areas including anxiety, depression and bipolar disorders, grief and bereavement, ADHD, coping with medical conditions, stress management, as well as identity, LGBTQ+ and women’s issues. Dr. Dawson is also a wife and mother of two boys, a hockey fan, lover of animals and is always looking to try new things whether it be a new recipe, a new book or a new band. You can learn more about Dr. Dawson at her website.
Carolina Garibay
Carolina is a 20-year old college student studying journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She loves writing, creating and storytelling, and is always looking to meet new people and experience new things. She is an assistant editor for buzz Magazine at The Daily Illini as well as the radio content editor for a radio show she do with other buzz staff at WPGU 107.1. She is an avid music lover and regularly creates playlists and album and song reviews for wpgu.com. When not performing one-woman performances of Broadway shows in her room, she is most likely looking up the best gluten-free recipes to send to her mom.