Almost 30 | Real Talks

Today on Almost 30, the intelligent, quick-witted Dana James joins us! Dana is a triple certified nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner and cognitive behavioral therapist. She is a big believer in addressing both the tangible and intangible, and places self-worth at the center of the weight-loss conversation. Dana is the founder of Food Coach NYC, where she has helped over three thousand women decode their body fat. In our conversation today, the three of us talk about the four different archetypes from her book, The Archetype Diet , and what each archetype works best with when it comes to food, lifestyle, and exercise. Dana also shares her own journey with health and nutrition, and how she got into this line of work.   We also talk about: Reprogramming what we eat Examples from different clients Dana has seen The role of metabolism with hormones Paying attention to the gut microbiome The subconscious and the role it plays   Stress reducing practices + your sense of self What it’s like to work with Dana The archetypes for men   Find more to love at

We are so grateful for today’s episode and today’s guest, sharing her story and providing an inside look at what it’s like to be a social worker in the foster care system today. On a previous episode, we had mentioned how we’d like to be educated more on the foster care system, and an incredible member of #almost30nation reached out to share her story. This conversation today is emotional, insightful, and is sure to offer you a clearer picture of the field of social work and the world foster kids live in today.   Words from our guest: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) working and residing in Los Angeles County. I work with children, teenagers, and families with severe histories of trauma and mental illness. The children and families I work with are a part of the LA County foster care system. I support my clients by helping them process their trauma, empowering them to reach their full potential, advocating for their needs, navigating the foster care system, and guiding them through the roller coaster journey they are on. I have never met more resilient people than my clients, and they inspire me to do this challenging work and be the best version of myself day in and day out.   I am originally from the Bay Area and moved to the East Coast to complete my Master of Social Work (MSW) program at New York University. About 5 years ago, I moved to Los Angeles and began working within the LA County Department of Mental Health and Department of Children and Family Services. I was working with a 13 yr old female client who was very suicidal. I was going to her home 3-4 times weekly for therapy sessions to ensure she was safe, had someone to talk to, and could work through her suicidal thoughts. As our time was coming to an end, we wrote each other letters as part of our termination and goodbye process. In her letter to me she wrote, "thank you for letting me realize that life is worth living" THIS is the reason I do what I do.   Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it can change the world for one person. Honestly, that is what motivates me day in and day in. That is what I find so rewarding about my job. I know I am not going to “save” all my clients. I know some will fall through the cracks. But I also know that if I can make an impact on just one child, that I am helping change the world for that one person.   Statistics (from CASA organization): Foster youth in LA is 30,000 33% of California’s foster youth currently reside in LA County 73% of foster youth have spent two or more years in the system 38% of youth have had five or more foster care placements Less than 50% of foster youth graduate from high school and only 3% graduate from college 33% of girls in foster care become pregnant at least once by age 17 25% of youth aging out of foster care will be incarcerated within two years At age 19, 60% of former foster youth are unemployed 27% of the homeless population spent time in foster care Only 3% graduate from college Half of all young adults who age out of foster care end up homeless or incarcerated. 75% of young women in foster care report at least one pregnancy by age 21   We also talk about…   Being in court with her client + the back and forth of cases What drew her to the field of social work Educating others on the foster care system + the money involved in fostering Vetting to be a foster parent How a child ends up in the foster care system Signs of abuse to look out for Working with rauma Preparing for a child a loving family The types of therapies that she uses with her clients Fost-Adopt + adoption and how to go about it in the US The process to work in social work Figuring out boundaries and self-care How we can help   Find more to love at

Everyone stop what you are doing. She’s back. Lacy Phillips!!  This master of manifestation joins us LIVE at Soho House in West Hollywood to talk all things, well, manifestation! Our dear friend and former podcast guest, Millana Snow of Wellness Official, asked us to co-host an elevated summer series.   In this episode, you will hear our chat with Lacy, as well as a riveting, inspiring, and relatable Q&A. Questions covered relationships with others, fostering romantic relationships, magnetizing money, all the way to manifesting your dream life. This conversation is real and in-the-moment.  Attendees, including us, are figuring out blocks and triggers, just like you. Lacy is so grounded, loving, and honest in her answers, offering so much help to the audience– and you!– to truly expand into alignment.   We also talk about…   How Lacy grew up + beginning to understand manifestation Getting the signs to teach manifestation Taking a critical look at your shadow self + reparenting Opening up to receive and magnetize more money Recognizing and calling in expanders What the “dark” period is + how to come out the other side of it Where to begin with manifestation Working through trauma and EMDR Revisiting phases in reparenting work Being in the process of expansion in business Figuring out your shadow trigger words Determining the clarity of what you want Using Human Design as a tool   Find more to love at

Nicole Lapin, the NYT bestselling author of Rich Bitch and Boss Bitch and the host of Hatched on CBS, is BACK. Nicole is our go-to gal for everything finance, money management, and financial empowerment. She helps take the shame and guilt out of financial wellness, and creates space for feeling good about our money decisions and desires. If you haven’t listened to our

#Almost30nation!!  Give it up for Jerry O’Connell!  Jerry is a mega talented actor, hilarious and humble human, and a stellar dad and husband.  He made his acting debut in the iconic film Stand By Me and has been working consistently ever since.  What we love about Jerry is the levity and passion he brings to every opportunity.  He is eager to learn, whether in front of the camera acting, or behind it directing.  He is generous with his time and quick to help those in and out of the business. His mark on Hollywood is constantly evolving and we’re pretty sure he is getting younger every year.  TELL US YOUR SECRETS, JERRY O. In our conversation today, we talk about working in the entertainment industry, relationships and marriage, and what it was like starring in an iconic movie at such a young age.     We also talk about…   Guest starring on Workaholics Pregnancy and having children Drinking in relationships Jerry dissects a recent dating experience that Lindsey had...uh oh! Fyre festival Eyebrow stories   Find more to love at